as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail
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Recent Examples of deter
So far no one has suggested that the deaths are the result of enemy action—that is to say, Belarusian or Russian action—except in the sense that Americans are in Lithuania in the first place to deter a Russian attack.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
But even with only a handful of conversations that day, Stanley wasn’t deterred.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Use barriers such as chicken wire over the soil to deter digging.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
This mighty keychain has a pull-top pin that, when removed, causes the keychain to release an ultra-loud 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light to help draw attention from onlookers while simultaneously deterring and confusing an attacker.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
But even with only a handful of conversations that day, Stanley wasn’t deterred.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Use barriers such as chicken wire over the soil to deter digging.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
This mighty keychain has a pull-top pin that, when removed, causes the keychain to release an ultra-loud 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light to help draw attention from onlookers while simultaneously deterring and confusing an attacker.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Cite this Entry
“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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