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
But none of those deterrents have been sufficient to solve the problem of over-height trucks attempting to pass under the viaduct.
—
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Half of the money for wolf conflicts would go toward deterrents; the remainder would compensate ranchers for their losses.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Use sensory deterrents, such as ammonia in a shallow bowl.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Turner recommends reflective tape or holographic deterrents hung around garden perimeters.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
The smarter approach is a layered defense — natural deterrents, physical barriers and simple environmental changes that make your yard far less inviting before wasps decide to settle in.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Try Peppermint Oil Spray One of the simplest wasp deterrents may already be sitting in your pantry.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
During the 20th and 21st centuries, aircraft came to play increasingly important roles in determining the outcome of battles as well as being deterrents to aggression.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Half of the money for wolf conflicts would go toward deterrents; the remainder would compensate ranchers for their losses.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Use sensory deterrents, such as ammonia in a shallow bowl.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Turner recommends reflective tape or holographic deterrents hung around garden perimeters.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
The smarter approach is a layered defense — natural deterrents, physical barriers and simple environmental changes that make your yard far less inviting before wasps decide to settle in.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
Try Peppermint Oil Spray One of the simplest wasp deterrents may already be sitting in your pantry.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
During the 20th and 21st centuries, aircraft came to play increasingly important roles in determining the outcome of battles as well as being deterrents to aggression.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The obstacles along the way fueled Jones’ drive to succeed.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At a closed-door conference on April 28, the court and participants discussed the user experience, revealing that several bugs and hurdles remain.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
With limited communication access inside Iran, the filmmakers faced significant logistical hurdles in bringing the film to Sundance.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Aid agencies say Israeli security restrictions have tied their hands, creating difficult security barriers that have limited the influx of aid.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Other good view barriers for privacy might include the edible olive, pineapple guava, Simpson stopper, Walter’s viburnum, podocarpus and clumping bamboo.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.—
Adam Bluestein,
Scientific American,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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