American Dictionary

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Definition deterrent in American English

deterrent noun

[countable] noun
/dɪˈterənt/
1

something that makes people decide not to do something by making them realize that something unpleasant could happen to them

Example

Fear of being caught acts as a deterrent to breaking the law.

2

a weapon whose purpose is to make other countries afraid to attack the country that owns it

Example

the United States' nuclear deterrent

Synonyms and related words
Definition deterrent in American English