as in deterrent
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as in dissuading
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 deterring
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Safer pest control options include planting pest-deterring plants, using physical barriers, and maintaining a clean, healthy garden.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
These votes were dangerous — for Israel, for American credibility and for the cause of deterring Iran’s aggression.
—Chai Posner, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Companion planting works by attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and improving garden conditions.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran's nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The new 35-page report calls for quickly boosting troop numbers and military capabilities, and is primarily aimed at deterring Russia, analysts said.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
For almost 60 years, this was one of the city's least inviting landmarks, with increasingly stringent security deterring even the most placid of curious onlookers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
In addition to deterring unwanted visitors or critters, these flood lights have also become popular among pet owners for another purpose.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
Safer pest control options include planting pest-deterring plants, using physical barriers, and maintaining a clean, healthy garden.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
These votes were dangerous — for Israel, for American credibility and for the cause of deterring Iran’s aggression.
—Chai Posner, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
Companion planting works by attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and improving garden conditions.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 7 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran's nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
As part of its National Defense Strategy announced in January — a sweeping document laying out a vision on everything from deterring China to defending against cyberattacks to disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the administration said Europe must do more for its own defense.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The new 35-page report calls for quickly boosting troop numbers and military capabilities, and is primarily aimed at deterring Russia, analysts said.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
For almost 60 years, this was one of the city's least inviting landmarks, with increasingly stringent security deterring even the most placid of curious onlookers.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterring
Adjective
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Will blowing up boats stop fentanyl deaths in the U.S.? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, has said Trump's military strikes near Venezuela are already having a deterrent effect on drug cartels.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Dec. 2025
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This team has neither a point-of-attack defense on the perimeter nor a true deterrent interior presence.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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He is also accused of dissuading a victim and destroying a communication device.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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In the credit card world, the r/churning subreddit boasts nearly 30,000 weekly visitors, and even has a whole FAQ section about dissuading the average person from engaging in churning, offering several reasons that Fred agrees with.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If an override did occur and was reversed by a manager who trusted the system's track record, the structure is actively discouraging the judgment it was built to include.—
Tiffany Archer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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But that wasn't the only discouraging news this week.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deterring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterring. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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