deter

verb

di-ˈtər How to pronounce deter (audio)
Definition of deternext
as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deter Not even the film leaking on Twitter could deter folks from theaters. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 July 2026 Decorations such as a flower vase have been nailed down in an effort to deter vandalism. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 To deter people from gathering even at basketball courts, where there were sometimes fights, officials have removed the nets. — Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 25 July 2026 Note that no Middle Eastern hotels made the cut this year as the war has deterred visitors, and Antarctica is back on the list. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deter
  1. dissuade
  2. discourage
Verb
  • Other chat logs included in the lawsuit also show ChatGPT dissuading Winters from seeking hospital care and downplaying Winters’ wife’s concerns about her husband’s health.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 22 July 2026
  • The threat of drone strikes has dissuaded many traders and fuel-tanker drivers from entering the city, though some still slip through at night on perilous journeys from the east.
    — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • Broad testing of people without symptoms or meaningful risk factors is discouraged.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • After Meta’s smart glasses helped normalize secretly recording people, Instagram is taking a major step to discourage such behavior.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of discourage

Browse Nearby Words

detentions
deter
deterge
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Cite this Entry

“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deter

Nglish: Translation of deter for Spanish Speakers

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