deter
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding.
The large dog deterred trespassers.
-
to prevent; check; arrest.
timber treated with creosote to deter rot.
-
to repel.
Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles.
verb
Other Word Forms
- determent noun
- deterrability noun
- deterrable adjective
- deterrer noun
- undeterrability noun
- undeterrable adjective
- undeterrably adverb
- undeterring adjective
Etymology
Origin of deter
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin dēterrēre “to discourage, put off, frighten,” equivalent to dē-, prefix and preposition + terrēre “to frighten, scare”; de-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Critics argue that such prosecutions blur the line between reporting and participation and could deter journalists from covering volatile events.
From Salon
“Part of what a police officer does is deter crime by his presence. Why should it be any different with us?”
Ministers hope the scheme will deter people from attempting to enter the UK illegally on small boats via the English Channel by threatening removal to France.
From BBC
Zelensky is seeking robust security guarantees from allies to deter future attacks from Moscow's army.
From Barron's
Alliances only deter threats when their commitments are trusted as credible.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
