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
Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Even if Russia ends up occupying eastern Ukraine, the cost of this limited victory will have a deterrent effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025
Supporters of Proposition 313, referred to voters by the Legislature, argued that discretion in sentencing leads to shorter prison terms and that life sentences would have a deterrent effect.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The deterrent effect of these policies has proved difficult to measure and appears to have been quite limited.
—Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Noun
European forces in Ukraine would also mirror the deterrent effect of U.S. combat forces in South Korea.
—Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025
Even if Russia ends up occupying eastern Ukraine, the cost of this limited victory will have a deterrent effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025
Supporters of Proposition 313, referred to voters by the Legislature, argued that discretion in sentencing leads to shorter prison terms and that life sentences would have a deterrent effect.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The deterrent effect of these policies has proved difficult to measure and appears to have been quite limited.
—Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
No matter how hard life got, no matter the obstacles, those 3 words got me through it all.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Legal challenges pose a more likely obstacle to Trump's takeover, as was the case last week.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, although heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., medical experts believe 80% of heart attacks are preventable and exercise is an important preventive agent.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
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They’re also increasingly marketed to fitness enthusiasts, preventive health seekers, and anyone curious about their metabolism.—
Daryl Austin,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Funneling the prescriptions through one particular pharmacy introduces a variety of logistical hurdles and delays.—
Samuel Ganz,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
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Soon after, another hurdle appeared: a recurring inguinal hernia that led to frequent hospital visits, including spending Christmas Day in the emergency room.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Campbell’s car hit her from behind, pushing her over a concrete barrier and into the sweltering swamp below.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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Gemma can see barriers that others might not notice and works to reduce and ultimately remove them for her team.—
Nadia Edwards-Dashti,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
On defense, the Bills couldn’t establish the line of scrimmage, while the backend failed to lend support to the defensive linemen.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Kansas must watch out for defensive lineman Finn Claypool.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Similar obstructions abound on the storefront windows near her house.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Aug. 2025
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She was convicted of two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice during an investigation into the alleged death of her celebrity pet chimpanzee, Tonka.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The memory of her own childhood embarrassment—drinking from old creamer containers at school lunch to save money—flashed through her mind.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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Nick Kroll co-created the raunchy comedy, which explores puberty, sexuality, and the never-ending embarrassments of adolescence.—
Huntley Woods,
EW.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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