deter

[ dih-tur ]

verb (used with object)

, de·terred, de·ter·ring.

1. to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding:

   The large dog deterred trespassers.

2. to prevent; check; arrest:

   timber treated with creosote to deter rot.

3. to repel:

   Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles.

deter

/ dɪˈtɜː /

verb

1. tr to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

Derived Forms

• deˈterment, noun

Other Words From

• de·ter·ment noun
• de·ter·ra·ble adjective
• de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty [dih-tur-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• de·ter·rer noun
• un·de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty noun
• un·de·ter·ra·ble adjective
• un·de·ter·ra·bly adverb
• un·de·ter·ring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deter¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin dēterrēre “to discourage, put off, frighten,” equivalent to dē-, prefix and preposition + terrēre “to frighten, scare”; de-

Word History and Origins

Origin of deter¹

C16: from Latin dēterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten

Example Sentences

The Aztec death whistle seems to acoustically and affectively mimic other deterring sounds.

From Science Daily

Even when Israeli and international activists accompany villagers to their olive groves, hoping to deter the threat, there’s no guarantee of safety.

From BBC

He replied: "There is irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia and that's not going to deter our support for Ukraine."

From BBC

Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons before, and Ukraine has criticised it as "nuclear sabre-rattling" to deter its allies from providing further support.

From BBC

There would also be a major financial cost, but Trump recently told NBC News that this would not deter his administration's efforts.

From BBC

Related Words

• avert
• block
• dampen
• daunt
• discourage
• dissuade
• forestall
• frighten
• hinder
• impede
• intimidate
• obstruct
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• restrain
• scare
• stop