Meaning & use
deter
To discourage someone from doing something, usually through fear of a negative consequence.
See it in a sentence
A loud alarm system can deter burglars from entering the house.
Higher fines were introduced to deter drivers from speeding through the school zone.
A note on using this word
Deter is usually followed by 'from,' as in 'deter someone from doing something,' and implies preventing an action rather than simply advising against it.
Words with a similar meaning
discouragedissuade
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
encourage
Make it your own
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