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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deterrent
Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
One area in which this has happened—and another example of the deterrent effect of the threat of total war—is Washington’s deliberate restriction of Ukraine’s ability to attack Russian territory, at least in ways that involve Western weapons.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2023
Vale responded by arguing that Trump's frauds impacted consumers by inserting false and misleading information into the marketplace, and that Trump's fine has a deterrent effect.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2024
By Yian Lee / Bloomberg September 20, 2024 4:10 AM EDT
Taiwan’s Constitutional Court upheld the legality of the death penalty but moved to limit its use, in a decision that strikes a balance between keeping the punishment’s deterrent effect and preventing its abuse.
—Yian Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Adjective
The First Circuit agreed with the lower court, holding that FBAR penalties — acknowledged to be partly deterrent in nature — are not subject to the constitutional protection against excessive fines.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
One area in which this has happened—and another example of the deterrent effect of the threat of total war—is Washington’s deliberate restriction of Ukraine’s ability to attack Russian territory, at least in ways that involve Western weapons.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2023
Vale responded by arguing that Trump's frauds impacted consumers by inserting false and misleading information into the marketplace, and that Trump's fine has a deterrent effect.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2024
By Yian Lee / Bloomberg September 20, 2024 4:10 AM EDT
Taiwan’s Constitutional Court upheld the legality of the death penalty but moved to limit its use, in a decision that strikes a balance between keeping the punishment’s deterrent effect and preventing its abuse.
—Yian Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
As a result, digital health companies such as Hims & Hers have been prescribing compounded semaglutide as an alternative for patients who are navigating volatile supply hurdles and insurance obstacles.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Build out a timeline, address potential obstacles and decide who owns each task.—
Ricky Muddimer,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
By integrating real-time health tracking with urban data systems, cities can create more proactive healthcare models that focus on preventive care rather than reactive treatment.—
Rignesh Soni,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
As a result, those entities have instituted preventive measures.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Their restaurant group, Strategic Hospitality, helps manage those practical hurdles and provides access to resources from accounting to HR.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Financing the film was an early hurdle for Molayemi and Sohani.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, there are two barriers to accessibility.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Alsatian Pinot Noir is made in a style that’s clearly French, but because its less famous than its nearby Burgundy counterparts, the barrier for entry is lower.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Recent studies suggest that phages distribute defensive genes that their hosts can use to hold back the invading pathogens.—
Carl Zimmer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The Bears won’t emerge from this offseason with offensive and defensive lines ready to rival what the Eagles have built.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
They were both booked into jail on multiple felony counts of obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Johnson, according to police.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Julie Chrisley was also convicted on a count of obstruction of justice.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This isn’t just about saving influencers from embarrassment.—
Paige Musto,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The energetic big man tends to hand out the embarrassments to his opponents.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share