adj

deterrent

dih-TEH-ruhnt

adj

Acting to discourage someone from doing something.

"The fine is meant to have a deterrent effect on speeding."

noun

Something that discourages an action, especially through fear of consequences.

"A visible alarm system can be a strong deterrent to burglars."

"Nuclear weapons are often described as a deterrent rather than a weapon of use."

How to Use Deterrent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething put in place to scare or discourage people from doing something.

Common pairings

act as a deterrent deterrent effect nuclear deterrent

more deterrent comparative, deterrents plural, most deterrent superlative

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The fine is meant to have a _____ effect on speeding.

From Latin deterrens, the present participle of deterrere ("to frighten away, deter").