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
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Recent Examples of deter
America’s leadership in the Middle East has shaped the region in ways that have massively benefited Israel: deterring and coercing Iran, neutralizing the Islamic State and other terrorists, and conciliating moderate Arab states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
—
Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Such opportunistic aggression has occurred regularly throughout history, such as when America focused heavily on deterring a Soviet invasion of Europe but was then surprised and unprepared ...
—Mark Melton, National Review, 23 May 2025
Indeed, far from deterring the Pakistani military, India’s attacks may suggest to the generals that their provocative strategy is working.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
This message may be designed to deter migrants from coming at all.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Such opportunistic aggression has occurred regularly throughout history, such as when America focused heavily on deterring a Soviet invasion of Europe but was then surprised and unprepared ...
—Mark Melton, National Review, 23 May 2025
Indeed, far from deterring the Pakistani military, India’s attacks may suggest to the generals that their provocative strategy is working.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
This message may be designed to deter migrants from coming at all.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deter
Verb
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Image Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Don’t let Emily Wilde’s practical-seeming diary entries dissuade you: Fawcett’s novel, the first book in a series, is witty, frank and incredibly endearing.—
Ashley Poston,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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The dissuading a witness charge against the father stems from what the prosecution said allegedly happened after the boy stopped breathing and his mother carried his limp body upstairs.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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That guidance similarly discourages blanket exclusions and encourages individualized assessments that consider the nature of the offense, its recency, and its relevance to the job.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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State wildlife biologists and Parks and Wildlife officials said killing the wolf is meant to change pack behavior by discouraging the predators from targeting livestock.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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