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
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
The group's comeback follows a nearly four-year hiatus driven by South Korea’s mandatory military service, which requires most able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months under a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Iran’s whole war strategy revolves around targeting the Persian Gulf’s energy facilities, deterring oil tankers from using the normally busy Strait of Hormuz and driving up energy prices so that Americans feel it in their wallets.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Tehran has also reportedly mined the strait, further deterring ships from attempting passage and marking a new escalation in the war.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
When peaceful protest is met with a show of force, the constitutional balance shifts from protecting assembly to deterring it.
—Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 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, 4 Mar. 2026
Both plants attract pollinators, and salvia benefits zinnias by deterring aphids, whiteflies, and other common garden pests.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Lavender is a great companion plant to use with vegetable gardens, as its strong floral scent attracts beneficial pollinators, while deterring harmful insects.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
But none are deterring Barclays' bright outlook for equities.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
The group's comeback follows a nearly four-year hiatus driven by South Korea’s mandatory military service, which requires most able-bodied men to serve 18 to 21 months under a conscription system aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Iran’s whole war strategy revolves around targeting the Persian Gulf’s energy facilities, deterring oil tankers from using the normally busy Strait of Hormuz and driving up energy prices so that Americans feel it in their wallets.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Tehran has also reportedly mined the strait, further deterring ships from attempting passage and marking a new escalation in the war.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
When peaceful protest is met with a show of force, the constitutional balance shifts from protecting assembly to deterring it.
—Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 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, 4 Mar. 2026
Both plants attract pollinators, and salvia benefits zinnias by deterring aphids, whiteflies, and other common garden pests.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Lavender is a great companion plant to use with vegetable gardens, as its strong floral scent attracts beneficial pollinators, while deterring harmful insects.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 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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But the report said those efforts would have limited effects in dissuading someone who has a gambling addiction.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
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Trump, just as the vote was wrapping up, issued a primary threat against those who opposed his tariff regime — potentially dissuading some Republicans running in tight seats from backing Democrats’ tariff resolutions.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These interconnected policies demonstrate an intentional effort to reshape the American electorate by discouraging nonwhite immigration and citizenship.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Red flags worth walking away from include dismissing symptoms without investigation, attributing everything to stress or anxiety, discouraging second opinions and making patients feel rushed.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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