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
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Brisk aerobic exercise, meaning activities that get the heart pumping, have been pinpointed as a potential deterrent.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 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
Their replacement, the Columbia-class, is expected to begin entering service in the coming decade and is designed to conduct deterrent patrols for several decades.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Brisk aerobic exercise, meaning activities that get the heart pumping, have been pinpointed as a potential deterrent.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 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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At full height, the ship has an air draft of about 328 feet, but the tilting system enables the masts to lower when necessary, allowing the vessel to pass beneath bridges or other obstacles along its route, The Maritime Executive writes.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a simple blood test that's widely available, and increasingly many primary care physicians offer it as part of preventive care.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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There is nothing inherently wrong with higher-than-average spending, insofar as New York has determined to cover more preventive care that can, in the long run, keep people out of emergency rooms, for example.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Revenue sharing will be the biggest hurdle to get over.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Obtaining a passport in time for a looming voter registration deadline is another potential hurdle.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When wealth moves directly into a founder’s personal name and only then is transferred into protective vehicles, the sequence can draw scrutiny if disputes arise.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Wearing a protective mask to avoid inhaling the dust, fill a hand-crank or push rotary spreader with pelletized lime.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The group is also said to be digging tunnels, building bunkers, and erecting barriers and other defensive structures in case of an attack by the United States and Israel.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Prolonged shelter stays contribute to chronic stress, disrupt children’s education and create barriers to employment for parents.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Junior assistant captain Sammy Ryan rewarded the defensive showing in the second period with a scrappy goal.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
While drones offer a new defensive option, Britain’s traditional naval presence in the region remains limited.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Under New Mexico’s new law, which takes effect in May and will be in place for the state’s June 2 primary, people who experience intimidation or obstruction at the polls from federal agents or military personnel can file a civil lawsuit seeking relief in state courts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Valente was also charged with obstruction of justice.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The possible embarrassment of bleeding through the uniforms was a common distraction while competing, said Calabrese, who is the company’s chief marketing officer.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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Although the heat has everyone dealing with some degree of dampness, sweating is often a source of violent embarrassment for you.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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