deterrent

[ dih-tur-uhnt, -tuhr-, -ter- ]
See synonyms for deterrent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. serving or tending to deter.

noun
  1. something that prevents, checks, or suppresses: a deterrent to crime.

  2. something that repels: Our lemongrass-based bug deterrent is natural, safe, and effective.

  1. military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.

Origin of deterrent

1
First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin dēterrent- (stem of dēterrēns ), present participle of dēterrēre; see origin at deter, -ent

Other words for deterrent

Other words from deterrent

  • de·ter·rent·ly, adverb
  • non·de·ter·rent, adjective

Words Nearby deterrent

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How to use deterrent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deterrent

deterrent

/ (dɪˈtɛrənt) /


noun
  1. something that deters

  2. a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another

adjective
  1. tending or used to deter; restraining

Origin of deterrent

1
C19: from Latin dēterrēns hindering; see deter

Derived forms of deterrent

  • deterrence, noun

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