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
The standoff centers on a joint project with a multi-layered set of deterrents and technological solutions being developed at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam – on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois – to keep the carp species from entering the Great Lakes.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
One of the biggest deterrents for airlines in adjusting a route is the potential cost of extra fuel, but the trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage observed between the two groups.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Consider using a combination of these natural deterrents for maximum effectiveness.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Static deterrents, such as a plastic owl or cat silhouette, are not effective.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Older lethal methods of traps and poison remain available, but a push toward more humane, organic deterrents has led to a surge in alternative strategies.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Coaching has always been about more than putting a player in the right spot on the floor, and Auriemma has always thought of his job as trying to get his players to reach their respective potential, which includes (or results from) bypassing the deterrents that came up along the way.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Flooding mole tunnels is temporary and best when combined with other deterrents.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
One of the biggest deterrents for airlines in adjusting a route is the potential cost of extra fuel, but the trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage observed between the two groups.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Consider using a combination of these natural deterrents for maximum effectiveness.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Static deterrents, such as a plastic owl or cat silhouette, are not effective.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Older lethal methods of traps and poison remain available, but a push toward more humane, organic deterrents has led to a surge in alternative strategies.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Coaching has always been about more than putting a player in the right spot on the floor, and Auriemma has always thought of his job as trying to get his players to reach their respective potential, which includes (or results from) bypassing the deterrents that came up along the way.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Flooding mole tunnels is temporary and best when combined with other deterrents.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
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But some of the obstacles to growth in Half Moon Bay are self-imposed.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The robot can respond to voice commands and is programmed to keep safe distances from people and obstacles.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other giants — John Romero of Doom and Glen Schofield of Dead Space — have had to rethink games because of business hurdles and deals falling through.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Last year, Utah became the first state in the country to pass legislation eliminating regulatory hurdles for the installation of plug-in solar panels.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Supporters emphasize election integrity, while opponents warn about potential barriers to participation.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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Winhusen envisions a future where GLP-1 drugs help with one of the most difficult barriers to successful medical treatment — keeping people in treatment.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
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Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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