as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
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Recent Examples of deterrents
During the 20th and 21st centuries, aircraft came to play increasingly important roles in determining the outcome of battles as well as being deterrents to aggression.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The standoff centers on a joint project with a multi-layered set of deterrents and technological solutions being developed at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam – on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois – to keep the carp species from entering the Great Lakes.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
One of the biggest deterrents for airlines in adjusting a route is the potential cost of extra fuel, but the trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage observed between the two groups.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Consider using a combination of these natural deterrents for maximum effectiveness.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Static deterrents, such as a plastic owl or cat silhouette, are not effective.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Older lethal methods of traps and poison remain available, but a push toward more humane, organic deterrents has led to a surge in alternative strategies.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Coaching has always been about more than putting a player in the right spot on the floor, and Auriemma has always thought of his job as trying to get his players to reach their respective potential, which includes (or results from) bypassing the deterrents that came up along the way.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The standoff centers on a joint project with a multi-layered set of deterrents and technological solutions being developed at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam – on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Illinois – to keep the carp species from entering the Great Lakes.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
One of the biggest deterrents for airlines in adjusting a route is the potential cost of extra fuel, but the trial found no statistically significant difference in fuel usage observed between the two groups.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Experts stress that the likelihood of nuclear use remains extremely low, largely because nuclear weapons function primarily as deterrents.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Consider using a combination of these natural deterrents for maximum effectiveness.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Static deterrents, such as a plastic owl or cat silhouette, are not effective.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Older lethal methods of traps and poison remain available, but a push toward more humane, organic deterrents has led to a surge in alternative strategies.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Coaching has always been about more than putting a player in the right spot on the floor, and Auriemma has always thought of his job as trying to get his players to reach their respective potential, which includes (or results from) bypassing the deterrents that came up along the way.
—Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrents
Noun
-
Whereas waterfalls present fish obstacles in rising above their circumstances, five orders and eight families, from South America, Asia, and Australia, have overcome the impossible.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, the physicists don’t see any insurmountable obstacles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the biggest hurdles for elders seeking guidance when the state intervenes in their personal affairs is the opacity of the Florida law governing adult protection.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By simplifying adaptation and reducing technical barriers, the platform could broaden the use of eco-friendly drones across research and industry.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the realities of that kind of AI takeover of Hollywood are hindered by multiple barriers to entry, including labor contracts, ongoing copyright questions and actual consumer interest.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.—
Adam Bluestein,
Scientific American,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrents. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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