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
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
And a thick hedgerow is no deterrent to foxes sneaking in to snatch small lambs.
—Literary Hub, 23 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
While price remains the top deterrent at 67 percent, the gap between affordability and availability has nearly vanished.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
And a thick hedgerow is no deterrent to foxes sneaking in to snatch small lambs.
—Literary Hub, 23 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
-
Still, travelers may encounter obstacles obtaining their refunds.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
The case for and against a redo The obstacles to a redo are considerable, starting with the obvious security concerns.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Parents should be aware of these risks and take preventive actions accordingly.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
For example, preventive care is one of the highest-leverage moves an owner can make.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite that fast-track status, RP1 has encountered more hurdles from the agency than was expected by Replimune Group, the company producing the drug.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
2 May 2026
-
Also, licensing hurdles in many states ban people with records from even becoming barbers or mechanics, the very trades that offer the best path to independence.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Bike shorts under skirts or dresses, for example, can reduce thigh friction and create a protective barrier during movement.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 May 2026
-
Collins said taxpayers should also consider filing a protective claim, which preserves their right to a refund while the legal issue is still being resolved.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Inside a New York City welfare office, WELFARE reveals the human struggles, bureaucratic barriers, and impossible choices at the heart of the social safety net.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Construction crews building a barrier between the United States and Mexico damaged a 200-foot-long etching of a fish embedded in the land that is thought to be 1,000 years old, according to a report in the Washington Post.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ever the optimist, Obama shifted out of his defensive posture.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Stay curious instead of defensive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain on one side of the body, fever, chills, nausea and obstruction of the kidney.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
Nearly a year after 10 inmates escaped a New Orleans jail through a hole in the wall, a special grand jury has indicted the local sheriff on criminal corruption and obstruction charges in connection with the biggest jailbreak in recent American history.—
Greg Hilburn,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Well, the new strike zone and the obvious embarrassment of having a call overturned has changed how umpires call balls and strikes.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
For the annual dinner to occur at the White House itself would be a huge—okay, an even huger—embarrassment and conflict of interest.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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