as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterrent
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
This should act as a very powerful deterrent if China decides to attack Japan or its allies.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Noun
For his offensive gifts, the 7-foot-1 center is far from a deterrent at the rim and even less effective on switches.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
This should act as a very powerful deterrent if China decides to attack Japan or its allies.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Reuters reported last week that the fine would be modest, marking a change in Ribera’s approach with her predecessor’s deterrent hefty fines.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
In the end, the deepest release isn’t about getting a medical tag, but rather about understanding why those unrelenting obstacles continued to exist.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shared clinical decision-making helps tailor care to individual risks and is already used for several vaccines and preventive health decisions.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, unmarried individuals are less likely to seek preventive care or cancer screenings.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Then, for Artemis IV, there are even greater hurdles.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Damage to the facility’s outer protective structure has compromised safety functions designed to prevent the release of radioactivity into the environment.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
On June 28, 2024, he was served with an emergency protective order and a notice of intent to terminate from the Costa Mesa Police Department, but after leaving headquarters, Josett drove by the woman’s home in violation of the restraining order and was arrested, Edds said.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By eliminating practical barriers that frequently exist between suspicion and diagnosis, the online model satisfies that need.—
Malana VanTyler,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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Those barriers to access are part of what inspired Henderson to launch Pilates in the Park, a free outdoor session in Grant Park that’s open to anyone.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The coach indicated the team’s defensive issues are not player-specific, but rather ones that the group must address collectively.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Bombino’s defensive miscue knotted a match in which the 19-year-old delivered the first goal of the night — and the 100th across all competitions in the brief history of SDFC.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to Harvard Health, rarer but more serious side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis; gastroparesis, or the slowing or stopping of movement of food through the stomach; bowel obstruction or blockage; and gallstone attacks or bile duct blockages.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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In March 2024, authorities arrested 32-year-old Lashawn Washington and charged her with first-degree felony murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The nonprofit Bike New York offers free instruction and groups everyone by age to avoid embarrassment.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
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When appealing to a congressional answering machine fails, perhaps public embarrassment is the most effective lever to pull.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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