as in dissuaded
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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Recent Examples of deterred
Autos out Automotive executives who spoke to CNBC about not advertising during this year's Super Bowl said they were deterred due to the cost — $8 million on average for a 30-second ad — and felt their ad dollars would be better spent elsewhere.
—
Michael Wayland, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
During the day, prospective criminals could be deterred by the sound of the television.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Some cars were deterred by the demonstration, but EPIC managed to distribute donations despite the loud crowd.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Ethiopia has been among Africa’s fastest-growing economies in recent years, but delays in restructuring its debt has deterred international investors.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The potential life-changing effects caused by CTE, or any other ailment associated with football, have not deterred America’s appetite to play or watch the game, which is why the NFL, NCAA and most likely your neighborhood high school are adding weeks to their respective seasons.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Many veteran journalists agreed with that assessment but said they would not be deterred from their work.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Federal agents have attempted to frustrate these efforts, but their targets have proved too resourceful, too careful—too determined—to be deterred.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Ramírez visited Cleveland last week to hammer out the new contract, in the throes of winter, and wasn’t deterred from committing to the city.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Michael Wayland, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
During the day, prospective criminals could be deterred by the sound of the television.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Some cars were deterred by the demonstration, but EPIC managed to distribute donations despite the loud crowd.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Ethiopia has been among Africa’s fastest-growing economies in recent years, but delays in restructuring its debt has deterred international investors.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The potential life-changing effects caused by CTE, or any other ailment associated with football, have not deterred America’s appetite to play or watch the game, which is why the NFL, NCAA and most likely your neighborhood high school are adding weeks to their respective seasons.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Many veteran journalists agreed with that assessment but said they would not be deterred from their work.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Federal agents have attempted to frustrate these efforts, but their targets have proved too resourceful, too careful—too determined—to be deterred.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Ramírez visited Cleveland last week to hammer out the new contract, in the throes of winter, and wasn’t deterred from committing to the city.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterred
Verb
-
What To Do Instead Hopefully by now you’ve been dissuaded from ever using the self-cleaning function again.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The mother who worked at the downtown hotel would not be dissuaded, even when several others from school intervened.—
Emily Witt,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even so, he was discouraged from pursuing a career in music.—
Jim Dudlicek,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Some borrowers have become discouraged by the wait, experts say.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterred. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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