as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterrent
Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026
Why catnip surprises gardeners as a pest deterrent Catnip is the wild card on the list — beloved by cats, but a serious headache for mosquitoes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Noun
But trademark infringement lawsuits can be filed in federal court — a potentially greater deterrent to misuse, because those cases apply nationwide.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026
Why catnip surprises gardeners as a pest deterrent Catnip is the wild card on the list — beloved by cats, but a serious headache for mosquitoes.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Adjective
Reuters reported last week that the fine would be modest, marking a change in Ribera’s approach with her predecessor’s deterrent hefty fines.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
But as the necessities of their jobs begin to push them farther apart, truckdriving becomes a serious obstacle to their budding relationship.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is why providers may recommend preventive medications before surgery, imaging tests with contrast dye, or even minor procedures.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
15 May 2026
-
What to Do If Your Termite Prevention Fails If preventive measures fail, call a pro.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The former junkyard is seen as ripe for future redevelopment, but an environmental clean-up is clearly a costly hurdle to be cleared.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
Regular New Yorkers don’t care about the reasons for the bureaucratic hurdles.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fan base for these books is famously large and protective — these are the most famous hockey romance books on the market.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
How to make homemade laundry detergent Before mixing anything, put on protective clothing — at minimum, gloves, glasses and a mask — to avoid skin or eye irritation from the ingredients.—
Ryan Brennan
May 13,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The county is majority Republican, but the general sentiment was strongly opposed to a border barrier.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
The lack of barrier between your skin and the shoe is a blister disaster waiting to happen, especially during the hot, humid summer months.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
While her defensive energy contributed to the team’s depth, a scoreless night highlighted the utter absurdity of the league elevating a backup guard over the most prolific scorer in basketball history, especially on a night when the team was already missing its star center.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
His beloved Vikings used their top pick—the eighteenth over all—on a defensive lineman named Caleb Banks, who had immense talent but also a troubling history of left-foot issues, including breaking a bone at the Combine.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Smith was indicted for principal to manslaughter, principal to felony hazing and obstruction of justice.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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In December, Hill pleaded guilty to state charges of misconduct, perjury and obstruction of justice and was put on probation.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In light of her public embarrassment, her author father, Greg, accepts a position as a visiting lecturer on campus to be close to his daughter in her time of need.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Wilson’s an embarrassment to our police department.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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