DETER Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

deter

verb

di-ˈtər

Definition of deter

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

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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 But experts say the lizards are now facing other threats to their survival that even a fountain of eye blood can’t deter. — Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026 Japan has been accelerating military buildup in southwestern Japan to deter China. — Jim Gomez, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 But that would not be enough to deter those who wanted to deceive voters. — Drew Kurlowski, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026 Europeans must therefore deter a more dangerous Russia with less help. — Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deter

Verb

But some Democrats sought to preemptively dissuade their party from using a wave election to further stack the deck in a partisan fashion.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026
In social media posts, both candidates urged voters not to be dissuaded by the tabulator issues.

— Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of dissuade

Verb

The memory shortage also threatens to discourage PC builders from creating new desktops.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Doorbell cameras can help identify suspects and discourage theft, while park parking lots generally lack that level of surveillance, police said.

— Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of discourage

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detentions

deter

deterge

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“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of deter

verb

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