as in obstacles
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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Recent Examples of deterrents
Try Natural Deterrents Aside from scented plants, some natural deterrents may also keep ticks at bay, including natural sprays that contain garlic, mint, or marigold extract.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
The truth is that squirrels are a common rodent, and a little bit of damage caused by these critters might not be that big of a deal, and not worth the hassle of figuring out a bunch of different deterrents.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Retaliation and alienation from team-mates and friends were also deterrents from speaking out, according to the report.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and other scent barriers can help keep rats away without harm.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026
Scare tactics, physical barriers, unpleasant deterrents, and lack of resources should keep squirrels away.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
If an unknown person enters the property perimeter, the system can trigger deterrents including warning lights and voice alerts.
—Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Codependent superpowers The truce between Beijing and Washington might be more durable this time as both sides now possess more credible economic deterrents against each other.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
All the clocks in our house were set ahead on a graduated system, as deterrents to being late.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
The truth is that squirrels are a common rodent, and a little bit of damage caused by these critters might not be that big of a deal, and not worth the hassle of figuring out a bunch of different deterrents.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Retaliation and alienation from team-mates and friends were also deterrents from speaking out, according to the report.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and other scent barriers can help keep rats away without harm.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026
Scare tactics, physical barriers, unpleasant deterrents, and lack of resources should keep squirrels away.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
If an unknown person enters the property perimeter, the system can trigger deterrents including warning lights and voice alerts.
—Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Codependent superpowers The truce between Beijing and Washington might be more durable this time as both sides now possess more credible economic deterrents against each other.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
All the clocks in our house were set ahead on a graduated system, as deterrents to being late.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
-
The winner in November will lead the country's most populous state, facing a large deficit and other obstacles, including the state's high cost of living, homelessness and wildfire risk.—
Marisa Lagos,
NPR,
6 June 2026
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Despite the ongoing ups and downs of the housing market, including economic cycles and affordability obstacles including post-pandemic high interest rates, low inventory, and soaring prices, women – particularly Millennials – have continued to show resiliency.—
Kathy Collins,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Sure, there would be a number of hurdles wrapped up in the process, which would include medical provisions based upon Sorsby's 'mental health disorder' of addiction that his attorneys presented in court as an argument against the NCAA.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
Local governments were handed extraordinary funding and broad flexibility to bypass traditional bureaucratic hurdles in the name of speed and compassion.—
Michele Steeb,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
So using these as natural barriers obviously has an enormous significance — enormous importance.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
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The department is also advancing plans for the South Delta Gates project, which would replace the temporary rock barriers with permanent operable gates.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 5,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Not just crashes, but obstructions, emergency scene conflicts, unexpected stops in travel lanes and response-time performance.—
David Roberts,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Of the photons of light that avoid clouds of dust and other deep-space obstructions to reach our planet, most don’t make it through Earth’s thick atmosphere, let alone through a telescope’s loss-prone optics.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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