noun / adjective
deterrent
dih-TUR-unt/dɪˈtɜːrənt/
Something that discourages action by making it seem risky or difficult.
The heavy bicycle lock serves as a deterrent to theft.
Etymology
The pieces express frightening someone away from an action. A deterrent is something that performs this discouraging role: the prospect of an unwelcome consequence makes the action less attractive.
In context
that's a deterrent to keep women from committing crimes knowing that the prisons are co-ed
More examples
- High shipping costs can be a deterrent to ordering online.
- Locks and alarms act as deterrents to theft.
- The policy has little deterrent effect if no one enforces it.
Forms
deterrent · deterrents
deter verb — Discourage action through fear or difficulty.
deterrence noun — Prevention of action through threatened consequences.
Similar words
- disincentive
- Reduces motivation, often by making an action less rewarding.
- obstacle
- Blocks progress rather than making someone choose not to act.