deterrent meaning and examples thumbnail

deterrent meaning and examples

2025-08-24

Meaning

Deterrent refers to something that discourages, prevents, or restrains someone from taking a particular action, often by creating fear of the consequences or making the action less attractive.

  • As a noun: it means a factor or measure that discourages action.
  • As an adjective: it describes something intended to discourage or prevent.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech:

    • Noun (countable/uncountable)
    • Adjective

  • Typical patterns:

    • "a deterrent to something"
    • "act as a deterrent"
    • "deterrent measures"

Common Phrases

  • "act as a deterrent"
  • "strong deterrent"
  • "nuclear deterrent"
  • "deterrent effect"
  • "deterrent measures"

Collocations

  • verb + deterrent: serve as, act as, provide, use, employ
  • adjective + deterrent: strong, powerful, effective, sufficient
  • deterrent + noun: deterrent effect, deterrent policy, deterrent action

Examples

  1. High fines serve as a deterrent to reckless driving.
  2. The new security cameras act as a deterrent against theft.
  3. Fear of punishment can be a strong deterrent to crime.
  4. The country relies on its nuclear weapons as a deterrent.
  5. Strict laws have a deterrent effect on illegal activities.
  6. The presence of guards is intended to be a deterrent.
  7. Low wages are often a deterrent to attracting skilled workers.
  8. The alarm system provides a strong deterrent against burglary.
  • Prevention
  • Obstacle
  • Hindrance
  • Obstruction
  • Restraint
  • Impediment
  • Inhibition