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Glite Dictionary
determent

determent

8.5
Something that makes people avoid doing something by showing possible bad results
  • noun
  • /dɪˈtɜrmənt/
translation icon : desaliento
  • Fear of punishment can serve as a determent to would-be offenders.

Examples

  • Government warnings acted as a determent to people considering illegal downloads.

  • She hoped that the clear consequences would serve as a determent to anyone thinking about cheating.

  • The threatening letter served as a powerful determent against further protests.

  • Don't let that be a determent to your goals!

  • The harsh feedback served as a determent to her progress.

  • The government issued a public safety warning as a determent to potential vandalism in the area.

  • The subtle hint of disapproval was a determent for him to reconsider his reckless actions.

Synonyms

intimidation
vsdeterment
84 6.5

Making someone scared by threats or pressure to stop them

is less forceful, usually warning about outcomes rather than using threats
deterrence
vsdeterment
23 7.5

The act of stopping people from doing something by making them afraid of the result

is broader, often warns rather than directly creating fear
admonition
vsdeterment
17 7.4

A warning or advice to stop someone from doing something wrong

focuses on making people less likely to try by warning of possible consequences
disincentive
vsdeterment
12 7.2

A thing that makes people less likely to do something

is an intentional message or action rather than a background factor reducing action
admonishment
vsdeterment
4 7.0

A firm warning that tells someone to change their behavior

is more about warning of possible consequences than about firm disapproval
discouragement
vsdeterment
2 3.8

Making someone less willing to do something by saying you do not like it

is more about warning bad outcomes rather than showing disapproval
dissuasion
vsdeterment
1 7.7

The act of trying to stop someone from doing something

is more about warning consequences rather than persuading by argument
dehortation
vsdeterment
  • Archaic
9.9

Advice that tells someone not to do something

is usually a warning about risks rather than gentle urging or advice
deterrent example
vsdeterment
7.3

People use a punishment to show others not to do the same

is general communication or action rather than one punitive example
brushback
vsdeterment
  • US
8.1

An action that warns or scares someone to stop doing something

is broader, making people less likely to try generally rather than only stopping continued behavior

Antonyms

encouragement
54 1.9

A feeling of support that makes you more confident and hopeful

How Deterring

punishment
720 1.3
deterrent
1 7.0
threat
∞ 1.9
determent
8.5
warning
1.0
caution
58 1.6

Surface Forms

determent singular
determents plural

Morphology

determent = deter (transparent) = deter + ment

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'deter' with '-ment', meaning the act or result of deterring, which a learner familiar with 'deter' and '-ment' can infer.

Etymology

The word determent comes from Latin parts de- 'away' and terrere 'to frighten', and you can see the same root in the words deter and terrify. So a determent is something that 'frightens away' or warns people so they stop or do not try something.