deterrent
adjective
de·ter·rent
di-ˈtər-ənt 
-ˈter-;
-ˈtə-rənt,
-ˈte-;
dē-
1
: serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit : serving to deter
The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.
2
: relating to deterrence
a deterrent view of punishment
deterrent
noun
deterrently
adverb
Examples of deterrent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Supporters of Proposition 313, referred to voters by the Legislature, argued that discretion in sentencing leads to shorter prison terms and that life sentences would have a deterrent effect.
—
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The deterrent effect of these policies has proved difficult to measure and appears to have been quite limited.
—Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
That sustained dip was due, Clayton guesses, to the deterrent effect of the operation on potential booter customers.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 9 May 2023
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
See all Example Sentences for deterrent 
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.
Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
The deterrent effect of these policies has proved difficult to measure and appears to have been quite limited.
—Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
That sustained dip was due, Clayton guesses, to the deterrent effect of the operation on potential booter customers.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 9 May 2023
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
See all Example Sentences for deterrent
Dictionary Entries Near deterrent
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deterrent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share