deterrence

noun

Definition of deterrencenext
as in discouragement

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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 deterrence The number of times deterrence has failed approximately equals the number of wars history has seen. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026 Open communication strengthens deterrence, prevents adversary miscalculation, and normalizes space operations alongside the other services. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 The revelation is seen as a message of deterrence to adversaries like China and Russia. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 The war on terror rendered the familiar categories of the Cold War—the balance of power, deterrence, great-power rivalry, and hegemony—increasingly obsolete. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deterrence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrence
  1. discouragement
  2. instruction
  3. suppression
  4. repression
  5. charging
  6. bidding
  7. dictation
  8. direction
Noun
  • In a paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, members of the WTA’s performance and health staff stressed the importance of providing support, rather than discouragement, to athletes seeking to preserve their fertility.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the feeling of discouragement that can come with the rejections and even ghostings applicants face, these internships — though sometimes few and far between — still exist.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of discouragement
Noun
  • Those conversations range from lunches and athletics to classroom instruction and college opportunities, and several student recommendations have already led to changes this year.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The company’s security controls technically worked, as the agent faithfully carried out the fraudster’s instructions.
    — Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The use of pseudonyms by female writers born in the nineteenth century is typically understood as a feminist loophole around the patriarchal suppression of women’s writing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the footage was played during a dayslong suppression hearing last December, when the defense argued evidence recovered during the arrest should be suppressed because Mangione’s backpack was improperly searched.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of suppression
Noun
  • International experts have denounced President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s repression of the opposition and push to eliminate term limits as worrisome turns toward autocracy.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Students were recorded chanting against the morality police and political repression.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of repression
Noun
  • For those waiting at the gate, rest assured that outlets are plentiful, including cord-free magnetic charging at the desks.
    — Annita Katee, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The stylus has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, magnetic docking, and wireless charging.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of charging
Noun
  • Among those not bidding are A24 UK, Playground, Mammoth Screen, New Pictures, Big Talk Studios, Expectation and Quay Street.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • If the first two point to structural compression, the fix isn’t tighter bidding.
    — Gaetano Romeo, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bidding
Noun
  • Apple Silicon Mac users can instead choose fully offline, on-device dictation.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
  • One is the choice for Muse dictation to occur in the cloud, where Meta can log it.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dictation
Noun
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Also back here is a dual-pattern power supply mount with two captive screws that serve one of the two supported mounting directions.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction

Browse Nearby Words

deterred
deterrence
deterrences
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Cite this Entry

“Deterrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrence. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deterrence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deterrence

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