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
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the draft April 23-25, Miami has some intriguing names on its depth chart at the position, but none that rise to the level of deterring the team from finding a talented rookie tight end.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Transit conditions, toll arrangements and the legal framework for passage remain undefined, deterring ship owners from passing through the waterway, according to maritime research firm Windward.
—Anniek Bao,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
The primary purpose of the checkpoint is to promote public safety by increasing awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving, and deterring potential impaired drivers.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
The kind that the Iranians have had no problem so far either disabling or deterring with firepower from drones.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz is limited to its ability to disrupt tanker traffic with drones and missiles, deterring commercial shipping unwilling to take the risk.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 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
Verb
Getting them back, and quickly manufacturing more, is key to deterring China.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the draft April 23-25, Miami has some intriguing names on its depth chart at the position, but none that rise to the level of deterring the team from finding a talented rookie tight end.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Transit conditions, toll arrangements and the legal framework for passage remain undefined, deterring ship owners from passing through the waterway, according to maritime research firm Windward.
—Anniek Bao,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
The primary purpose of the checkpoint is to promote public safety by increasing awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving, and deterring potential impaired drivers.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
The kind that the Iranians have had no problem so far either disabling or deterring with firepower from drones.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz is limited to its ability to disrupt tanker traffic with drones and missiles, deterring commercial shipping unwilling to take the risk.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 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
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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Elias was convicted in March on one count of second-degree murder, one count of torture, one count of child abuse and two counts of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, all of which are felonies, the release said.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Long-term security and stability are needed right now Friday's inflation report wasn't the only discouraging economic news as of late.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof solution for discouraging squirrels from enjoying a free meal at your expense.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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