as in dissuades
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 deters
Collective action deters bullies Harvard never stood alone.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
The presence of thimerosal deters growth of any germs.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Locke argued that the perception of cooperation between local police and ICE undermines community trust and deters people from contacting law enforcement.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Jan. 2026
Some also argue that coffee’s caffeine content or abrasive texture deters pests from entering homes and gardens.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
This attitude keeps women at a lower pay and deters the enforcement of policies that could initiate change, Milton said.
—Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, Utah The dry heat that typically deters hikers from southern Utah in the summer is long gone by the winter months.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
Judges and others have expressed concern that the practice deters defendants from showing up to court, but the president and his allies say is necessary to apprehend those living in the country illegally.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Do not put food in shelters, as that deters the cats from sleeping inside them.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 15 Dec. 2025
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
The presence of thimerosal deters growth of any germs.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Locke argued that the perception of cooperation between local police and ICE undermines community trust and deters people from contacting law enforcement.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Jan. 2026
Some also argue that coffee’s caffeine content or abrasive texture deters pests from entering homes and gardens.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
This attitude keeps women at a lower pay and deters the enforcement of policies that could initiate change, Milton said.
—Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, Utah The dry heat that typically deters hikers from southern Utah in the summer is long gone by the winter months.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
Judges and others have expressed concern that the practice deters defendants from showing up to court, but the president and his allies say is necessary to apprehend those living in the country illegally.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Do not put food in shelters, as that deters the cats from sleeping inside them.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deters
Verb
-
The tension between the audience wanting the best for Siaja while her community dissuades her is key to North of North’s appeal, and that all comes down to how strongly Lambe anchors the series around her.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Taking away automatic renewal also dissuades employers from offering jobs to H-4 holders out of concerns about potential employment gaps, Peddibhotla added.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency, an initiative of President Eisenhower, facilitates peaceful nuclear energy and discourages military pressures to get the weapon.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, the funds are being used to produce a narrative that diverts attention from a major public health issue and discourages the press from covering it.—
Eleanor M. Perfetto,
STAT,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deters. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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