SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
deter
verb
To discourage an action or make it less likely to occur.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Discourage action
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topDissuade often involves persuasion; deterrence can arise from cost or difficulty without preventing action entirely.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See deter in use
The extra paperwork might deter some applicants, although it would not prevent them from applying.
A confusing registration page might deter newcomers from entering the chess league by making participation seem too troublesome.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license