deter Hear it!

deter Definition

de·ter (dē tʉr′, di-)

transitive verb -·terred′, -·ter′·ring

to keep or discourage (a person, group, or nation) from doing something by instilling fear, anxiety, doubt, etc.

Etymology: L deterrere < de-, from + terrere, to frighten: see terror

deter Related Forms
de·ter′·ment noun
deter Synonyms

deter

v.

caution, stop, dissuade; see discourage 1, 3, hinder, prevent.

deter Usage Examples

Object

  • thief: Code your bike To deter thieves, have your bike frame stamped with your postcode.
  • burglar: Postcode your property Marking your property can deter burglars.
  • vandal: Low ' trip fencing ' of round timbers on low posts, wired to deter vandals with saws, may be sufficient.
  • intruder: Install intruder alarms and / or boundary lighting to deter intruders.
  • plagiarism: Carroll, J. ( 2002 ) A handbook for deterring plagiarism in higher education.
  • aggressor: Britain must in the ultimate resort have independently controlled nuclear power to deter an aggressor.

Subject

  • cost: The Southern railroad had actively considered purchase to turn it into an electrified holiday line but was deterred by high reconstruction costs.

Preposition: by

  • fear: Brunel was not deterred by such fears and in 1836 work began with the sinking of shafts to determine the course of the tunnel.
  • difficulty: Many potential applicants are deterred by the apparent difficulty of funding such a project.
  • fact: We're actually a little gratified that some people are deterred by the fact it forces them to wait.
  • cost: The Southern railroad had actively considered purchase to turn it into an electrified holiday line but was deterred by high reconstruction costs.
  • price: Don't be deterred by the ticket prices or the distance needed to travel to see the show.

Modifying Another Word

  • hopefully: The presence of the vehicles alone will hopefully deter some from getting involved in criminal behavior.
  • thereby: Some students report that discussions seem to be at an inappropriate level, thereby deterring them from participating.
  • effectively: This advice effectively deterred Members from giving any proper consideration to Mr Balchin's true circumstances.
  • actively: Our CCTV initiative aims to improve public safety and confidence whilst actively deterring crime.
  • not: Equally clearly - they will not deter, even with the prospect of the Minister of state's orange suits.
  • easily: Sandflies near the river can also be a nuisance at times, tho they are easily deterred with insect repellent.

Present participle complement

  • counterfeit: The FP57 is now green and blue ( to deter counterfeiting and forgery ) and bears the NHS logo.