DETERRENT Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

deterrent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of deterrent

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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deterrent

2 of 2

adjective

as in preventive

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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 deterrent

Noun

But armed officers dressed in camouflage alongside military vehicles have apparently not acted as enough of a deterrent to petty criminals. — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 Birds get used to most deterrents after a time and learn to ignore them. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 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

Noun

Both benefit from improved navigation, apparently able to avoid cables and other obstacles as small as 2mm in size, as well as transparent objects like mirrors or glass.

— Dominic Preston, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
The 340-pound ball is just soft enough to bounce lightly over bumpy obstacles, but its slight overpressure keeps it relatively firm.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Adjective

Qualifying power systems must operate without human intervention and without preventive or corrective work on their main propulsion, fuel and oil systems.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
For decades, America’s dietitians have struggled against low salaries, the product of a system in which preventive care, including nutrition, is undervalued.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of preventive

Noun

Earlier models relied on broad hydrological assumptions and missed practical engineering hurdles.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
At that moment Benson was tempted to use his vertical leap of more than 40 inches to simply glide over him like going over hurdles in a 110-meter race.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

Rice lipids and jojoba oil seal in moisture and replenish the skin barrier, while 2% ectoin soothes redness and protects against water loss.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
The Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund was created to support semiconductor research and development investments, reduce barriers to innovation, and address growing global competition in the semiconductor industry.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of barrier

Noun

Investigators accused him of obstruction of justice, unlawful contracting and, among other things, claiming $127,630 in expenses linked to fictitious missions and plane tickets for nearly a dozen trips.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
The prosecutor, Matthew Evans, was fired on Thursday and is now under investigation for alleged obstruction of a grand jury probe, the person said.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstruction

Noun

He’s particularly drawn to episodes that are discomforting for his countrymen—the Dreyfus Affair, and, a recent obsession, French accommodation in Nazi rule during the Occupation, a national embarrassment that was long passed over in silence.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Just the latest embarrassment from the worst president in any of our lifetimes.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassment

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deterrences

deterrent

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Style

“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deterrent

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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