deter

[ dih-tur ]
/ dɪˈtɜr /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR deter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·terred, de·ter·ring.

to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers.
to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot.

Origin of deter

1570–80; < Latin dēterrēre to prevent, hinder, equivalent to dē- de- + terrēre to frighten

OTHER WORDS FROM deter

Words nearby deter

detent, detention, detention camp, detention centre, detention home, deter, deterge, detergency, detergent, deteriorate, deterioration

Words related to deter

hinder, prevent, discourage, avert, prohibit, intimidate, frighten, preclude, stop, daunt, impede, forestall, dissuade, restrain, obstruct, scare, block, dampen, debar, cool

Example sentences from the Web for deter

British Dictionary definitions for deter

deter
/ (dɪˈtɜː) /

verb -ters, -terring or -terred

(tr) to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

Derived forms of deter

determent, noun

Word Origin for deter

C16: from Latin dēterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten