as in deterrent
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as in dissuading
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 deterring
Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
For almost 60 years, this was one of the city's least inviting landmarks, with increasingly stringent security deterring even the most placid of curious onlookers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Advocates for those subjected to harassment say resignations provide accountability only if they are followed by substantive changes to the way allegations are handled and better policies for deterring such actions.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Our experts suggest the following methods for deterring mosquitoes.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Containers are better for deterring pests, while plants in the ground will need less frequent watering.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026
Miami has some intriguing names on its depth chart, but none that rise to the level of deterring the team from finding a talented rookie tight end.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The first incident prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to focus its resources on deterring and responding to these events.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Getting them back, and quickly manufacturing more, is key to deterring China.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
The new 35-page report calls for quickly boosting troop numbers and military capabilities, and is primarily aimed at deterring Russia, analysts said.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
For almost 60 years, this was one of the city's least inviting landmarks, with increasingly stringent security deterring even the most placid of curious onlookers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Advocates for those subjected to harassment say resignations provide accountability only if they are followed by substantive changes to the way allegations are handled and better policies for deterring such actions.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Our experts suggest the following methods for deterring mosquitoes.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Containers are better for deterring pests, while plants in the ground will need less frequent watering.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 18 Apr. 2026
Miami has some intriguing names on its depth chart, but none that rise to the level of deterring the team from finding a talented rookie tight end.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The first incident prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to focus its resources on deterring and responding to these events.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Getting them back, and quickly manufacturing more, is key to deterring China.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterring
Adjective
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Will blowing up boats stop fentanyl deaths in the U.S.? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, has said Trump's military strikes near Venezuela are already having a deterrent effect on drug cartels.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2025
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This team has neither a point-of-attack defense on the perimeter nor a true deterrent interior presence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Elias was convicted in March on one count of second-degree murder, one count of torture, one count of child abuse and two counts of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, all of which are felonies, the release said.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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But the report said those efforts would have limited effects in dissuading someone who has a gambling addiction.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Charter closes by discouraging the creation of new categories of IP law or extending patent and copyright terms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
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Analysts said investors were focusing on potentially discouraging numbers underneath the surface, including decelerating growth in trends for its software business.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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