(click/touch triangles for details)
Definition
something that discourages something not wanted- How effective is the death penalty as an additional deterrent?
deterrent = something that discourages something not wanted
- High prices on large quantities of water are used as a deterrent to excessive use when there is a water shortage.
- In theory, it's supposed to be electrified twenty-four hours a day as a deterrent to the predators that live in the woods — packs of wild dogs, lone cougars, bears — that used to threaten our streets.Suzanne Collins -- The Hunger Games
- As the Wall Street Journal noted, "American [trade] retaliation is supposed to be the nuclear deterrent that forces the rest of the world into submission."James Bovard -- The Myth of Fair Trade -- http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=1024&print=Y&full=1 (retrieved 06/28/06)
- A better course for reform would be to change the damages remedy in securities fraud class actions to focus on deterrence.Adam C. Pritchard -- Should Congress Repeal Securities Class Action Reform? -- http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-471es.html (retrieved 06/29/06)
- Most small creatures were afraid of that snarl, but it had no deterrent effect on Jerry, who continued his steady stalking.London, Jack -- Jerry of the Islands
- Tanimoto read in the papers that the United States and the Soviet Union were steadily climbing the steep steps of deterrence.John Hersey -- Hiroshima
- It's said to be a deterrent—but in fact, murder rates are higher in death penalty jurisdictions than in those without it.Jodi Picoult -- Change of Heart
- The phrase "deterrent force" had been popular before The Day and effective so long as that force had been unmistakably superior.Pat Frank -- Alas, Babylon
- "That will probably wake Charlie," he offered as a deterrent.Stephenie Meyer -- New Moon
- The Georgia carried twenty-four Trident missiles, a noteworthy fraction of the country's total deterrent force.Tom Clancy -- The Hunt for Red October
- Cedric's frame, now six-foot-one and 190 pounds, proves to be a sufficient deterrent.Ron Suskind -- A Hope in the Unseen
- "I doubt he called on the dragons for every little dispute," said John, "but the possibility would certainly have been an effective deterrent."James A. Owen -- Here, There be Dragons
- Troy will act as a deterrent to such attacks.John Ringo -- Live Free or Die
- The system is an excellent deterrent to your average hacker or electronic thief.J.D. Robb -- Naked in Death
- Clouds are no deterrent.Don DeLillo -- White Noise
- As he expected, a bird sanctuary in China would be enclosed, a deterrent to poachers.Robert Ludlum -- The Bourne Supremacy
- The fact that their own skin color was proof that it had happened in their own families was no deterrent to their bile.Toni Morrison -- Sula
- "If only I thought physical pain was actually a deterrent for you," said Hodge with grim fury.Cassandra Clare -- City of Bones
- "I think you Americans call it deterrence," replied Bernardine.Robert Ludlum -- The Bourne Ultimatum
deterrent = something that discourages
deterrent = something that discourages something not wanted