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
Sam Liccardo, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
These include 360-degree night-vision CCTV, sonic defense, bear deterrent, and communication systems.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 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
China further benefits from the war’s erosion of the American military deterrent to Chinese ambitions in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
—Sam Liccardo, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
These include 360-degree night-vision CCTV, sonic defense, bear deterrent, and communication systems.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 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
-
Autonomy in this case involves being able to reach destinations by using camera images to navigate around obstacles such as craters and pits without the involvement of mission control.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
-
Despite the obstacles, anticipation has been building across the capital.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
That’s where most of the preventive work should start.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Ouellet is being held in preventive detention in Rockingham County, and a protective order has been issued for the woman, according to court documents.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The city witnessed Carl Lewis win four Olympic gold medals, cheered Valerie Brisco-Hooks’ historic golden double and watched Edwin Moses extend his 400-meter hurdles unbeaten streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
The antitrust hurdle cleared by Paramount comes as state attorneys general in California, New York and almost a dozen other states are contemplating an antitrust suit to put the brakes on what would become a mega-studio.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
In January, a tourist on the Argentine side of the falls reportedly crossed protective barriers near the Devil's Throat viewpoint to retrieve a hat that had blown away.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Workers will lower protective shielding around the assembly before placing it inside the machine’s interior.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The technology is also lowering barriers for new entrants.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 June 2026
-
Assistant coach Kim Weiss, who broke barriers this season, is expected to be named head coach of the Las Vegas expansion franchise in the PWHL.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three games.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Drafted seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 out of Missouri, Smith had one of the most explosive starts for a defensive player in NFL history.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Julie Chrisley was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Fans were arrested on charges such as suspicion of assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon (a knife), reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and trademark counterfeiting, the NYPD said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Trump hopes to move past the political embarrassment during a fresh test of his political clout in South Carolina and Nevada.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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