as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterrent
Kristina Rex, CBS News, 22 May 2026
The suicide deterrent is scheduled to be presented to the Coastal Commission at the commission’s three-day San Diego meeting from June 10 through 12 at the Wyndham Bayside on Harbor Drive.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Noun
The hope is that charging the organizers creates a deterrent for any future similar behavior.
—Kristina Rex, CBS News, 22 May 2026
The suicide deterrent is scheduled to be presented to the Coastal Commission at the commission’s three-day San Diego meeting from June 10 through 12 at the Wyndham Bayside on Harbor Drive.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Adjective
Reuters reported last week that the fine would be modest, marking a change in Ribera’s approach with her predecessor’s deterrent hefty fines.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
Another obstacle is that the group hasn’t secured a stadium site.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
State prosecutors accuse Kazanis, who practiced at the New You Dental clinic in Livonia, of repeatedly billing Medicaid for fillings that were not performed or were performed as less invasive procedures using preventive resin restorations.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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The 79-year-old president spent more than three hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as preventive medical and dental checkups.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Newport Harbor multi-event standout Natalie McCarty qualified in the 100 and 300 hurdles.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
-
Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
If the shortage lasts too long, protective systems begin disconnecting parts of the grid to stop a wider collapse.—
Fangxing Fran Li,
The Conversation,
27 May 2026
-
As the intensity and depth of Ukrainian drone attacks have increased, Russian authorities have encouraged businesses to contribute to protective measures against aerial strikes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Finally, Illinois could adopt universal license recognition, which removes barriers for licensed professionals moving from other states.—
Eric Zamparripa,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Evans believes spellers who want to win should use their study time efficiently, but there's no barrier to learning every possible word.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
The best defensive team in the NBA keeps proving that defense wins games — and that no one is unstoppable.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
After New York's Ryan Weathers and Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen each pitched seven shutout innings, Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger made a key defensive play with two outs in the eighth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Mailyan is due to be sentenced on September 10, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and five years in prison for each count of obstruction.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Washington, under Trump, views this not as an independent initiative but as an obstruction, and is increasingly willing to use tariffs, energy threats, and diplomatic pressure to bring Paris back into line.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The month brings Wale and an embarrassment of other hip-hop riches, Orville Peck, Bleachers, Keiyaa and more.—
Chris Kelly,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
-
Shankar shares that fewer than half of older adults who fall report it to their physician, often out of embarrassment or fear of losing independence.—
Adaira Landry,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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