deterrent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of deterrentnext
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

deterrent

2 of 2

adjective

as in preventive

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Dissimilar Words

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 deterrent
Noun
The city found an effective deterrent for thefts at streetlights and other locations. — Seamus Bozeman follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 How to stay safe from bears while hiking The Alaska Department of Fish and Game advises hikers to travel in groups, make plenty of noise, carry a deterrent, ensure control of any pets and carry communication equipment when hiking in bear country. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Adjective
One thing to keep in mind is that the deterrent effect of coffee grounds may be more temporary than other methods. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026 This team has neither a point-of-attack defense on the perimeter nor a true deterrent interior presence. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
  1. obstacle
  2. preventive
  3. hurdle
  4. protective
  5. barrier
  6. defensive
  7. obstruction
  8. embarrassment
Noun
  • The Moon Will Steal The Show This year’s biggest obstacle won’t be clouds, but moonlight.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Having spent decades watching powerful men evade justice, Nora is doubly determined to bring this one down, and regards Catherine’s vigilantism as an obstacle to a larger victory.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Definition of obstacle
Adjective
  • Shifting resources toward preventive and community-based care can improve health outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment and better management of chronic diseases.
    — Runchana Pongsaparn, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • High-end enclaves increasingly integrate on-site medical professionals, wellness programming and preventive care facilities.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of preventive
Noun
  • When firefighters identify dangerous wildfire hazards, the solution shouldn’t be delayed by endless procedural hurdles.
    — Ruben Grijalva, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The deal faces hurdles over whether the Israeli or Hamas portion of the agreement should take place first, NPR's Franco Ordoñez tells Up First.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of hurdle
Adjective
  • When working with herbicides, wear protective eyewear and gloves, and keep pets and children away from the area.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In effect, each lane served as both a roadway for its own traffic and a protective guardrail for the lane beside it.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of protective
Noun
  • Like many inland dikes, the barrier in agricultural fields near the small town of Waddinxveen, east of The Hague, is made of peat that needs to be damp to be strong enough to hold back water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Replacing barriers with highways To understand the new design, imagine a conventional topological photonic chip as a road surrounded by wide safety barriers.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrier
Adjective
  • Ounahi, 26, impressed last season and at the World Cup, offering versatility in attacking midfield or on the wing, despite not being a direct defensive replacement for De Jong.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Garrett’s influence could be magnified if Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, ends a two-year retirement to pursue another Super Bowl ring.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of defensive
Noun
  • Fauci refused to answer questions at the hearing based on his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and Republicans threatened to charge him with obstruction.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • While Clinton was impeached by the house, he was acquitted of perjury and obstruction of justice charges.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of obstruction
Noun
  • In turn, there is a perception that the endeavor is one big cash grab, one that is not worth the risk of embarrassment if the film fails critically and/or commercially.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
  • Our state’s ballot access laws are an anti-democratic embarrassment.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Definition of embarrassment

Browse Nearby Words

deterrences
deterrent
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Cite this Entry

“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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