deterrence

noun

de·​ter·​rence di-ˈtər-ən(t)s  -ˈter- 

-ˈtə-rən(t)s,

-ˈte-;

dē-

: the act or process of deterring: such as

a

: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment

b

: the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack

nuclear deterrence

Examples of deterrence in a Sentence

The author argues that deterrence is no longer the best way to prevent war.

Recent Examples on the Web

The doubt lingering over extended deterrence guarantees—would the nuclear protector actually use these powerful weapons if doing so could result in its own destruction?—wouldn't be eliminated. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

But if allies concluded that extended deterrence is a sham, further proliferation seems inevitable. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 17 Mar. 2025

But deterrence isn’t just a question of the number of missiles; demonstrating the operational credibility of Europe’s nuclear forces is also essential. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025

But if deterrence could not be supplied, the only other way to prevent Stalin from ordering the Red Army westward was to engage his demands. —Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deter

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deterrence

• concurrence
• incurrence
• occurrence
• recurrence
• transference
• coinsurance
• countertransference

Kids Definition

deterrence

noun

de·​ter·​rence di-ˈtər-ən(t)s  -ˈter- 

: the act, process, or capability of deterring

Medical Definition

deterrence

noun

de·​ter·​rence

di-ˈtər-ən(t)s, -ˈter-; -ˈtə-rən(t)s; dē-

: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment

Legal Definition

deterrence

noun

de·​ter·​rence di-ˈtər-əns, -ˈter- 

: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment