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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as in deterrent
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Recent Examples of deterring
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But some experts have expressed concerns that the staggering H-1B fee could have a chilling effect long-term, deterring students who want to work under other employment visas, and impacting critical industries which depend on STEM graduates like tech, healthcare and energy.
—Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
In the years since, the law has reportedly resulted in more gun violence and homicides, rather than deterring.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The average bride won’t come anywhere close to matching the costs of Selena Gomez’s, Lauren Sánchez’s, and Nina Agdal’s respective weddings, but that isn’t deterring her from amping up her wedding plans.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the alliance has sought to be more transparent about nuclear exercises to reassure the public and partners while deterring potential adversaries.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Mulch has many benefits in the garden, like retaining soil moisture, insulating roots, and deterring weeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Cutting the horns reduces the value of the rhinos, thus deterring poachers and saving the animals’ lives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
In turn, allies must better understand that their conventional military forces and American capabilities, conventional and nuclear, are part of one system for deterring threats and responding to attacks.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The France native didn’t slow down in the second half, notching his fifth 40-point game, dominating both sides of the court and deterring players from the paint.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But some experts have expressed concerns that the staggering H-1B fee could have a chilling effect long-term, deterring students who want to work under other employment visas, and impacting critical industries which depend on STEM graduates like tech, healthcare and energy.
—Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
In the years since, the law has reportedly resulted in more gun violence and homicides, rather than deterring.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The average bride won’t come anywhere close to matching the costs of Selena Gomez’s, Lauren Sánchez’s, and Nina Agdal’s respective weddings, but that isn’t deterring her from amping up her wedding plans.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the alliance has sought to be more transparent about nuclear exercises to reassure the public and partners while deterring potential adversaries.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Mulch has many benefits in the garden, like retaining soil moisture, insulating roots, and deterring weeds.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Cutting the horns reduces the value of the rhinos, thus deterring poachers and saving the animals’ lives.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
In turn, allies must better understand that their conventional military forces and American capabilities, conventional and nuclear, are part of one system for deterring threats and responding to attacks.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterring
Verb
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Last week, Phypers was arrested in court and charged with four felonies — two counts of injuring a spouse and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Phypers is facing criminal charges, including two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.—
LIYAM CHITAYAT,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The effectiveness of the operation, drawn up by the coalition of about 30 countries supporting Ukraine, hinges on the deterrent effect of U.S. airpower or other military equipment that European armed forces do not have, or have only in short supply.—
Lorne Cook,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The opposing view is that discouraging tourists could hurt local economies that rely on them.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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