deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-ən(t)s 
-ˈter-
-ˈter-
-ˈtə-rən(t)s,
-ˈte-;
dē-
: the act or process of deterring: such as
a
: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment
b
: the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack
nuclear deterrence
Examples of deterrence in a Sentence
The author argues that deterrence is no longer the best way to prevent war.
Recent Examples on the Web
The State Department said the deportations send a message of deterrence.
—
Landon Mion, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
The military prefers to cycle forces in and out of the places where deterrence is most crucial, which requires maintaining several soldiers at home for each one overseas.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The Hustle Vail helped start a wolf license plate program that’s so far earned over $600k for Colorado Parks & Wildlife to spend on wolf deterrence for ranchers.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025
Emphasizing the economic argument for helping Ukraine, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the secretary-general said that if Ukraine lost the war, the cost of restoring NATO's deterrence could cost trillions of dollars.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deterrence 
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Landon Mion, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
The military prefers to cycle forces in and out of the places where deterrence is most crucial, which requires maintaining several soldiers at home for each one overseas.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The Hustle Vail helped start a wolf license plate program that’s so far earned over $600k for Colorado Parks & Wildlife to spend on wolf deterrence for ranchers.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025
Emphasizing the economic argument for helping Ukraine, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the secretary-general said that if Ukraine lost the war, the cost of restoring NATO's deterrence could cost trillions of dollars.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deterrence
Articles Related to deterrence
Dictionary Entries Near deterrence
Cite this Entry
“Deterrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deterrence. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-ən(t)s
-ˈter-
-ˈter-
: the act, process, or capability of deterring
Legal Definition
deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-əns, -ˈter-
: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment
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