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
While reducing ship speeds can protect whales from collisions, establishing fishing exclusion zones and using acoustic deterrents can prevent dolphins from becoming entangled in nets.
—
Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
In recent years, swimmers, divers, and surfers, including Fox’s swim club, have turned to electromagnetic devices or other shark deterrents.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and ultrasonic repellents can also help to keep mice out.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
Combine several smells or use smells in addition to other deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
The associated stigmas that come alongside having an addiction and needing help are both deterrents for acknowledging the problem and seeking support.
—Sarah Allen Benton, SELF, 23 Dec. 2025
However, if public pressure persists, the NFL could either broaden existing roughing definitions, adopt an embellishment rule, or use medical-protocol triggers as deterrents — any of which would change how quarterbacks, defenders, and officials operate going forward.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
From Asia to Europe, countries are investing in hypersonic platforms as both deterrents and strategic equalizers, accelerating a global race.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
In recent years, swimmers, divers, and surfers, including Fox’s swim club, have turned to electromagnetic devices or other shark deterrents.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and ultrasonic repellents can also help to keep mice out.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
Combine several smells or use smells in addition to other deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
The associated stigmas that come alongside having an addiction and needing help are both deterrents for acknowledging the problem and seeking support.
—Sarah Allen Benton, SELF, 23 Dec. 2025
However, if public pressure persists, the NFL could either broaden existing roughing definitions, adopt an embellishment rule, or use medical-protocol triggers as deterrents — any of which would change how quarterbacks, defenders, and officials operate going forward.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
From Asia to Europe, countries are investing in hypersonic platforms as both deterrents and strategic equalizers, accelerating a global race.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
-
The researchers created the virtual animals and released them into a synthetic world, giving them tasks on how to navigate, avoid obstacles and find food.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The secluded area in Arizona where Guthrie lives and appears to have been kidnapped in the early morning hours of February 1 continues to present obstacles, as does the intense media scrutiny.—
Elizabeth Hartfield,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But there is optimism in the community that both these hurdles can be cleared.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
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There are a host of legal hurdles Trump will have to overcome to keep this one alive.—
Jack Greiner,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Reducing meetings to once a month and limiting public comment create barriers.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Last year’s blitz of bills, capping off years of gradual legislative efforts to remove regulatory barriers to building dense housing across California, has, in Wicks’ view, teed up this next big swing.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Crews advanced hose lines to the second floor and had difficulty gaining access because of obstructions behind the bedroom door, according to the release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Check slopes for bare spots, holes and obstructions, like rocks, fences or poles.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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