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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as in deterrent
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Recent Examples of deterring
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the alliance has sought to be more transparent about nuclear exercises to reassure the public and partners while deterring potential adversaries.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Mulch has many benefits in the garden, like retaining soil moisture, insulating roots, and deterring weeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Cutting the horns reduces the value of the rhinos, thus deterring poachers and saving the animals’ lives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
In turn, allies must better understand that their conventional military forces and American capabilities, conventional and nuclear, are part of one system for deterring threats and responding to attacks.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
When reporting brings abuse to light, prosecutors can crack down on offenders, potentially deterring further abuse.
—Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Containing Russia in Europe is therefore essential to deterring China globally.
—Sławomir Cenckiewicz, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Products like organic soap sprays and organic horticultural oil control smaller pests, while tree guards, netting, and fruit protection bags are musts for deterring birds and large critters such as groundhogs or raccoons, or deer that may damage the tree bark.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The average bride won’t come anywhere close to matching the costs of Selena Gomez’s, Lauren Sánchez’s, and Nina Agdal’s respective weddings, but that isn’t deterring her from amping up her wedding plans.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the alliance has sought to be more transparent about nuclear exercises to reassure the public and partners while deterring potential adversaries.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Mulch has many benefits in the garden, like retaining soil moisture, insulating roots, and deterring weeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Cutting the horns reduces the value of the rhinos, thus deterring poachers and saving the animals’ lives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
In turn, allies must better understand that their conventional military forces and American capabilities, conventional and nuclear, are part of one system for deterring threats and responding to attacks.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
When reporting brings abuse to light, prosecutors can crack down on offenders, potentially deterring further abuse.
—Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Containing Russia in Europe is therefore essential to deterring China globally.
—Sławomir Cenckiewicz, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Products like organic soap sprays and organic horticultural oil control smaller pests, while tree guards, netting, and fruit protection bags are musts for deterring birds and large critters such as groundhogs or raccoons, or deer that may damage the tree bark.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterring
Verb
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Phypers is facing criminal charges, including two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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In this scenario, the growing economic uncertainty surrounding the government shutdown is dissuading more buyers from purchasing properties this year.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.—
LIYAM CHITAYAT,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Aug. 2025
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The effectiveness of the operation, drawn up by the coalition of about 30 countries supporting Ukraine, hinges on the deterrent effect of U.S. airpower or other military equipment that European armed forces do not have, or have only in short supply.—
Lorne Cook,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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