deterrent
1
7.0
- adjective
- /dɪˈtɛrənt/
:
disuasorio
- The threat of a penalty is often a strong deterrent that prevents people from speeding on the highway.
- deterrent purpose
Examples
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Accordingly, agencies would be able to effectuate more fully the quick response and deterrent intent of environmental statutes.
Academic text (1993) -
This opportunity frustrates the deterrent purpose of environmental laws and potentially burdens the general public with financial responsibility for cleanup.
Academic text (1993) -
So are we still a deterrent in the way that we need to be?
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This deterrent role is almost certainly the major reason for any interest Iranian leaders have in developing nuclear weapons.
Academic text (2013) -
The first test of this deterrent relationship probably took place during a crisis in Indo-Pakistani relations in 1990.
Academic text (1997) -
When deterrent threats are sufficiently credible and clearly communicated, they do not need to be carried out very often.
Academic text (2011) -
Thus, the prospect of being detained as a prisoner of war if captured is unlikely to have any significant deterrent effect upon an individual soldier's decision to fight.
Academic text (2005) -
Additionally, circulating advertisements of penalties frequently would create an appearance of vigilance by law enforcement that would also have some deterrent effect on the market for pre-Columbian artifacts.
Academic text (2016) -
Strict regulations on pollution serve as a deterrent to companies that might otherwise ignore environmental laws.
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The increased security measures acted as a deterrent against potential theft at the store.
Synonyms
15
3.9
Causing someone to feel less confident or hopeful about trying something
1
8.7
Making someone less likely to do something by showing bad results
Antonyms
Compounds
How Deterring
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Deterrent comes from Latin parts de- ('away') and terrere ('to frighten'), the same root you see in terror and terrify, so when something is described as deterrent it 'frightens away' actions and works to discourage people by making them fear the result.