DETERRENCE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

deterrence

noun

Definition of deterrence

as in discouragement

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of deterrence The revelation is seen as a message of deterrence to adversaries like China and Russia. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 If deterrence is a factor in sentencing, Pattis argues that Diamantis’ disgrace is sufficient. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 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 Anker says this is an active-deterrence camera with an auto-tracking light, 180-degree dual-radar detection, and 4K resolution. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deterrence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrence

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

Orders can be equivocal, statements ambiguous, instructions murky.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Studies have used everything from intensive classroom instruction to short daily sessions with language-learning apps, over periods ranging from weeks to months, to see whether language learning can improve cognitive function.

— Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of instruction

Noun

Once Spencer was killed and the area was declared safe, Cal Fire crews moved in and began suppression efforts.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
These unspool in the form of action scenes where the stakes aren’t just personal safety, but the larger ideals of a nation under political suppression.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppression

Noun

Images and videos of protests and repression, followed by even larger protests, ping-ponged around the globe through mass media.

— Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026
The American Victorian era was super repressed, almost like fetishized repression.

— Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of repression

Noun

Robin recalled the animal charging at him twice, leaving puncture marks near his hip from clawing at him.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
The puck provides up to three hours of continuous high-resolution media playback and supports 45-watt fast charging.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of charging

Noun

Focus Features won the rights to the film in a bidding war against A24, Sony, and Warner Bros.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
La Bola Negra became the subject of a competitive bidding war following its world premiere in Cannes, where Los Javis were awarded the fest’s best director prize for the film in a tie with Paweł Pawlikowski for Fatherland.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of bidding

Noun

Dycus appeared to have had the Winter Springs program headed in the right direction after a difficult start.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Khaled Abdul Malek, who testified about being detained and tortured under Alsheikh’s direction, praised the sentence in a statement.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of direction

Browse Nearby Words

deterred

deterrence

deterrences

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“Deterrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrence. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deterrence

noun

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Synonyms of deterrence

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to deterrence

The Words of the Week - 10/2/20

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on deterrence

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

confabulate

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The Longest Long Words List

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