Deter
Signal-jumping fines, hostel gate dogs after sunset, and waitlists that scare applicants all work through this verb: prevention by fear of consequences.
Learn This WordMeaning
To discourage through fear.
Memory trick
DETER sounds like deter-rent posted on the door: fear keeps you out.
Examples
Fines deter rash driving.
The stray dog at the gate deters every delivery agent after sunset.
Nothing deters her: not the waitlist, not the fees, not the 6 a.m. batch.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin deterrere "to frighten away," from de- "away" + terrere "to frighten." Fear posted as a guard.
Usage Notes
Policy verb: fines deter, locks deter, penalties deter. Deter prevents by fear of consequences; incentivize prevents by reward logic in reverse.
Real-life contexts
Use in policy: "Higher fines deter signal-jumping."
Use in advice: "Do not let one failure deter you."
Use in security: "CCTV deters shoplifting more than guards do."
Common Mistakes
Deter from, not deter to: "deter students from cheating." Deter is prevention before the act; punish is consequence after it.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
verb
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
~33,000