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deterrent

dih-TUR-uhnt /dɪˈterənt/

nounadjectiveB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

FormalTechnical

Something that discourages or prevents a certain behavior or action through fear of doubt or consequences.

A deterrent does not physically block an action; instead, it targets the psychology of the actor, making the perceived risk outweigh the reward.

The story behind the word. The word 'deterrent' comes from the Latin verb deterrere, which literally means 'to frighten away.' It combines the prefix de- (meaning away) with terrere (meaning to frighten, which is also the source of 'terror' and 'terrific'). Historically, it was used to describe actions or laws that kept people from committing crimes out of fear of the consequences.

Word relationships

discouragement: A general term for anything that dampens enthusiasm, whereas a deterrent is specifically designed to prevent a specific action.
obstacle: A physical barrier that blocks progress, whereas a deterrent works psychologically.

incentive: Something that encourages or motivates action, whereas a deterrent discourages it.
catalyst: Something that accelerates or precipitates an action, whereas a deterrent stops it.

Commonly confused with

obstacle: A deterrent discourages action before it happens, while an obstacle physically blocks it.

Word family

deter (verb): To discourage someone from doing something through fear or doubt.
deterrence (noun): The inhibition of criminal behavior by fear of punishment.

Collocations

effective deterrent
visible deterrent
powerful deterrent
serve as a deterrent

Example sentences

"The presence of a visible security camera acts as an effective deterrent to potential burglars." Discussing the psychological impact of home security systems.

Memory hook

Think of 'deterrent' as 'detour-rent'—it forces a criminal to take a detour because the 'rent' (cost or risk) of committing the crime is too high. A big barking dog is a deterrent that makes intruders take a detour.

When not to use

Do not use 'deterrent' to describe a physical barrier that completely blocks access without any psychological element, such as a solid brick wall.

Fun facts

The concept of 'nuclear deterrence' was a defining military strategy of the Cold War, where both sides maintained massive arsenals to prevent the other from attacking.