Search results
- Dictionaryde·ter/dəˈtər/
verb
- 1. discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences: "only a health problem would deter him from seeking re-election" Similar Opposite
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
1. : to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting. she would not be deterred by threats. 2. : inhibit. painting to deter rust. determent. di-ˈtər-mənt. dē- noun. deterrability. di-ˌtər-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē. dē- noun. deterrable. di-ˈtər-ə-bəl. dē- adjective. Did you know? The Fearful History of Deter. The word deter is rooted in fear.
to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing something by making it difficult for that person to do it or by threatening bad results if they do it: These measures are designed to deter an enemy attack. deter someone from doing something High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.
to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers. to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot. to repel: Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles. deter. / dɪˈtɜː / verb.
Deter means to discourage, or literally “to frighten away.” Halloween decorations that are too scary might deter trick-or-treaters, and the risk of being expelled deters kids from cheating in school. Deter comes from the Latin de meaning "away" and terrere meaning "frighten."
deter. verb. /dɪˈtɜː (r)/ /dɪˈtɜːr/ [transitive, intransitive] Verb Forms. deter (somebody) (from something/from doing something) to make somebody decide not to do something or continue doing something, especially by making them understand the difficulties and unpleasant results of their actions.
to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing something by making it difficult for that person to do it or by threatening bad results if they do it: These measures are designed to deter an enemy attack. deter someone from doing something High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.
verb. To deter someone from doing something means to make them not want to do it or continue doing it. Supporters of the death penalty argue that it would deter criminals from carrying guns. [VERB noun + from] Arrests and jail sentences have done nothing to deter the protesters. [VERB noun] Jeremy was not deterred by this criticism. [VERB noun]
