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
Do deer, raccoons, or even your dog already favor that area, making additional deterrents necessary once the garden is established?
—
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Some express skepticism about the underlying premise that amenities and humanizing conditions actually reduce recidivism, viewing stricter punishment and containment as more effective deterrents.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
In the paint, Jokic and backup center Jonas Valanciunas are not imposing deterrents.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Lavender, rosemary, and basil are other effective natural pest deterrents.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Combine several smells or use smells in addition to other deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Some express skepticism about the underlying premise that amenities and humanizing conditions actually reduce recidivism, viewing stricter punishment and containment as more effective deterrents.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
In the paint, Jokic and backup center Jonas Valanciunas are not imposing deterrents.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Lavender, rosemary, and basil are other effective natural pest deterrents.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Combine several smells or use smells in addition to other deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
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All four of those teams have faced obstacles in their path of rebuilding.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Chicago must also remove obstacles to effective policing, use technology such as the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, and update and enforce curfew regulations.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Those are the same hurdles faced when designing a foldable phone, so Honor repurposed the steel and titanium alloy used in the hinge of its Magic V6 when constructing the micro motors that make the arm move.—
Dominic Preston,
The Verge,
4 Mar. 2026
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But the effort will face political hurdles, in part because many lawmakers value antitrust law’s emphasis on legitimate competition in the marketplace.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That definition came to encompass places like neighborhood coffee shops, libraries, bars and more, where people from different backgrounds came together in an informal setting with relatively low barriers to access.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
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Part of that surplus went toward the creation of the LA84 Foundation, which promotes youth sports by removing barriers and aiming to give all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background or ability, opportunities to participate in sports.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
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Altogether, there were some 252 obstructions around Mexico.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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