as in deterrent
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as in dissuading
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail
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Recent Examples of deterring
Kody Boye, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Darkness is indeed a good cover for crime, so better lighting can make streets safer, not just by deterring misdeeds but also by encouraging others to fill the streets with activity.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Taiwan’s leader on Sunday emphasized the island’s sovereignty and the importance of US arms purchases in deterring regional conflict, amid doubts of Washington’s support for Taiwan.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 17 May 2026
In addition to deterring unwanted visitors or critters, these flood lights have also become popular among pet owners for another purpose.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Try Strong-Smelling Plants Consider planting some pest-deterring plants nearby, like alliums or marigolds.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
These votes were dangerous — for Israel, for American credibility and for the cause of deterring Iran’s aggression.
—Chai Posner, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Companion planting works by attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and improving garden conditions.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
Security cameras, personalized access codes, alarm systems and attentive on-site staff can go a long way in deterring criminal activity and ensuring a reliable experience.
—Kody Boye, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Darkness is indeed a good cover for crime, so better lighting can make streets safer, not just by deterring misdeeds but also by encouraging others to fill the streets with activity.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
Taiwan’s leader on Sunday emphasized the island’s sovereignty and the importance of US arms purchases in deterring regional conflict, amid doubts of Washington’s support for Taiwan.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 17 May 2026
In addition to deterring unwanted visitors or critters, these flood lights have also become popular among pet owners for another purpose.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Try Strong-Smelling Plants Consider planting some pest-deterring plants nearby, like alliums or marigolds.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
These votes were dangerous — for Israel, for American credibility and for the cause of deterring Iran’s aggression.
—Chai Posner, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Companion planting works by attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and improving garden conditions.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterring
Adjective
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Will blowing up boats stop fentanyl deaths in the U.S.? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, has said Trump's military strikes near Venezuela are already having a deterrent effect on drug cartels.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2025
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This team has neither a point-of-attack defense on the perimeter nor a true deterrent interior presence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The jury in March found O’Connor guilty of crimes including child endangerment and furnishing alcohol to a minor, and dissuading a witness.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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Because having peers who smoke increases young people’s chances of starting themselves, fewer kids being able to get their hands on cigarettes should have a ripple effect, dissuading more and more of their peers from experimenting.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
Verb
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That threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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If an override did occur and was reversed by a manager who trusted the system's track record, the structure is actively discouraging the judgment it was built to include.—
Tiffany Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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