as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail
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Recent Examples of deter
The group that looked at whether and how to deter the sea lions said that whatever solution is recommended would have to be approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provides a list of measures that can be used to legally deter wildlife from spaces used by people.
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Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The public demands stricter penalties to deter crime and protect communities.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
The grim environment has done little to deter the Canadians from touting their diamond industry and close work with the Indigenous communities where the mines are based.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
Individual land owners have options in who to contact when trying to deter iguanas.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The public demands stricter penalties to deter crime and protect communities.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
The grim environment has done little to deter the Canadians from touting their diamond industry and close work with the Indigenous communities where the mines are based.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
Individual land owners have options in who to contact when trying to deter iguanas.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Cite this Entry
“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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