deterrent

adjective

de·​ter·​rent di-ˈtər-ənt 

-ˈter-;

-ˈtə-rənt,

-ˈte-;

dē-

1

: serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit : serving to deter

The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.

2

: relating to deterrence

a deterrent view of punishment

deterrent noun

deterrently adverb

Examples of deterrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Allowing China and Russia entry would strengthen other autocratic regimes, reducing the deterrent influence of democratic alliances. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

But the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons among nuclear states has turned out to be even more extensive than Snyder suspected. —Paul Avey, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025

Arrests in court will create a deterrent effect on individuals appearing for their court hearings, 90% of individuals placed in removal proceedings attend their hearings, these actions will continue to cause harm, confusion, and are not the way our government should act. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025

European forces in Ukraine would also mirror the deterrent effect of U.S. combat forces in South Korea. —Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin deterrent-, deterrens, present participle of deterrēre to deter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deterrent

adjective

de·​ter·​rent di-ˈtər-ənt 

-ˈter-

: able or acting to deter

deterrent noun