deter
[verb]
Synonyms: discourage, dissuade, frighten, inhibit from, intimidate, prevent, put off, stop, talk out of

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Contrasted words: abet, incite, instigate, excite, provoke, stimulate, actuate, motivate
Related Words: prevent, block, hinder, impede, obstruct, debar, shut out, frighten, scare, inhibit, restrain

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

de‧ter /dɪˈtɜː $ -ˈtɜːr/ verb (past tense and past participle deterred, present participle deterring) [transitive]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: deterrere, from terrere 'to frighten']
to stop someone from doing something, by making them realize it will be difficult or have bad results ⇒ deterrent:
The company’s financial difficulties have deterred potential investors.
deter somebody from (doing) something
The security camera was installed to deter people from stealing.

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In everyday English, people usually say put someone off rather than deter someone:
Don’t let a few problems put you off.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

deter
verb
ADV. hardly Her words of warning would hardly deter him.
effectively, sufficiently Will this harsher punishment effectively deter criminals?
easily
VERB + DETER be likely/unlikely to | be enough to, be sufficient to | attempt to | be designed to | do little to, do nothing to The present system does little to deter corporate crime.
PREP. from These new rules are likely to deter people from coming forward for help.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

deter
verb
BAD: How can we deter our leaders to use the atomic bomb?
GOOD: How can we deter our leaders from using the atomic bomb?

Usage Note:
deter sb (from doing sth) = persuade them not to do it: 'The common assumption is that imprisonment deters them from returning to a life of crime.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲