as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterrent
Felicia Feaster,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Nuisance complaint If someone were to lodge a nuisance complaint about a cat colony, the first thing the department would offer is deterrents, Knicely said.
—
Eva Flowe
june 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 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
Motion-detecting lights can be a deterrent to these nocturnal creatures.
—
Felicia Feaster,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Nuisance complaint If someone were to lodge a nuisance complaint about a cat colony, the first thing the department would offer is deterrents, Knicely said.
—
Eva Flowe
june 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 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
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There was an element of cynicism, but not on the part of determined prosecutors who overcame obstacles and brought the case to guilty pleas by three defendants and the conviction on 21 counts of the public official who ignited the scandal.
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But obstacles veered her away from art for years.
Adjective
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Healthcare economists say giving people access to preventive healthcare saves taxpayers money in the long run by keeping the workforce healthy and relieving pressure on an overburdened system.
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Brands are increasingly targeting a broader, more mainstream audience that’s interested in general health, convenience, and preventive nutrition—not just athletes.
Noun
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However, there are still some hurdles to surmount, particularly financing.
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Here’s how experts suggest overcoming these hurdles.
Adjective
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Repeatedly, agents had to admit that no crime scene tape was laid out, and no other protective measures were taken until after the Palisades fire burned over the Lachman scene.
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Decisions about protective security are made by the Home Office, not the monarch.
Noun
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Some states have argued that requiring applicants to provide documentary proof of their citizenship could pose a significant barrier to voting because several forms of government ID don't include citizenship information, and many Americans don't have passports.
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How phytic acid may support gut lining repair A preclinical mouse study from the Guha Lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, published in Nature Communications, suggests phytic acid helps keep the intestinal barrier intact.
Adjective
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Meyers has long been one of the sport’s most underrated defensive center fielders.
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Yirenkyi is a key force for Ghana, which is defensive-minded and looks to hit teams with the counterattack.
Noun
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That airflow obstruction sends oxygen levels plummeting, stimulating the pulmonary arteries to squeeze.
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Nixon then inserted himself into an obstruction of justice case by talking with an aide about blocking the FBI investigation, which eventually led to an impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives and his eventual resignation.
Noun
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In 1952, Sarris’ teenage mother gave him up for adoption, her family hoping to evade the embarrassment of their Jewish daughter becoming pregnant by a Native American Filipino man.
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Two months after that April embarrassment, the Charlotte Hornets took a positive step to rectify their obvious lack of physicality.
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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