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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Recent Examples of deter
Many experts say that migration levels are mainly driven by economic and humanitarian emergencies in the source countries, with the official cold shoulder in destination countries having had little impact in deterring migrants.
—
CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Nuclear weapons can deter another outside attack, but not a revolution or a palace coup (the more likely scenario).
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
For decades, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to attack Iran, but the United States and his own security chiefs deterred him.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 June 2025
School and local officials blamed the area’s high home prices for deterring students.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Nuclear weapons can deter another outside attack, but not a revolution or a palace coup (the more likely scenario).
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
For decades, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to attack Iran, but the United States and his own security chiefs deterred him.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 June 2025
School and local officials blamed the area’s high home prices for deterring students.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deter
Verb
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Proponents of this change worry defamation lawsuits, or even the threat of defamation claims, further dissuades denomination leaders from a tougher, more outspoken posture against ministers accused of abuse.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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But neither issue dissuaded me from eating the whole thing.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Bailey made headlines leading up to the draft by reportedly discouraging Philadelphia from selecting him, and even attempted to do the same with Utah.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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President Snow, facing growing unrest across the nation as a result of the pair’s joint victory, demands that Katniss and Peeta pretend to be in love during their Victory Tour to discourage any rebellions.—
Kelly Martinez Published,
EW.com,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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