Deterrent

Pronunciation: /dɪˈtɜrənt/

Definitions of deterrent

noun a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something

Example Sentences

A1 Locking your doors at night can be a good deterrent against burglars.

A2 Having a security alarm system is a common deterrent for potential intruders.

B1 The high cost of parking in the city acts as a deterrent for some people to drive.

B2 The threat of legal action can be a strong deterrent for companies engaging in unethical practices.

C1 The presence of armed guards serves as a powerful deterrent against any potential threats.

C2 The fear of economic sanctions acts as a deterrent for countries violating international agreements.

Examples of deterrent in a Sentence

formal The high security measures act as a deterrent against potential intruders.

informal Having a guard dog is a good deterrent for burglars.

slang Putting up a 'Beware of Dog' sign can be a good deterrent for unwanted visitors.

figurative His strong reputation in the industry serves as a deterrent for competitors trying to challenge him.

Grammatical Forms of deterrent

• past tense: deterred
• plural: deterrents
• comparative: more deterrent
• superlative: most deterrent
• present tense: deters
• future tense: will deter
• perfect tense: has deterred
• continuous tense: is deterring
• singular: deterrent
• positive degree: deterrent
• infinitive: to deter
• gerund: deterring
• participle: deterred

Origin and Evolution of deterrent

First Known Use: 1640 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'deterrent' originated from the Latin word 'deterrentem', which is the present participle of 'deterre', meaning 'to deter'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe something that deters or discourages a particular action or behavior, the word 'deterrent' has evolved to also encompass objects or measures that prevent or inhibit certain actions or outcomes.