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deter — to discourage or prevent someone from doing something by making them doubt or fear the consequences

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to discourage or prevent someone from doing something by making them doubt or fear the consequences

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈtɜːr/

Example Sentences

  • High prices don't seem to deter people from buying the latest iPhone.
  • The teacher's strict rules were meant to deter students from cheating.
  • Not even her mom's cooking could deter him from visiting every weekend.

deter

VERB

[/dɪˈtɜːr/]

to discourage or prevent someone from doing something by making them doubt or fear the consequences

Bright motion-sensor lights deter the burglar from approaching the house.
💡 Concept

Bright motion-sensor lights deter the burglar from approaching the house.

DE (away) + TER (frighten with terror) — by using a loud alarm to TER (frighten) the thieves DE (away), the security system managed to deter the break-in.
🧠 Mnemonic

DE (away) + TER (frighten with terror) — by using a loud alarm to TER (frighten) the thieves DE (away), the security system managed to deter the break-in.

Watching the mountain path blur in the thick fog and fearing a disaster might occur, the harsh storm managed to deter the climbers.
🎵 Rhyme

Watching the mountain path blur in the thick fog and fearing a disaster might occur, the harsh storm managed to deter the climbers.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈtɜːr/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈtɜː(r)/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootterr

Origin

From Latin 'deterrere', composed of 'de-' (away) and 'terrere' (to frighten or scare). The word entered English in the 16th century with the meaning of discouraging or preventing through fear of consequences.

Breakdown

de- (away, off) + terrere (to frighten, scare) = deter (to discourage or prevent by instilling fear)

🎵Rhyme

refer
prefer
confer
transfer

🔗Collocations

deter crime
deter someone from
nuclear deterrent
deter potential thieves
effectively deter
deter aggression

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“High prices don't seem to deter people from buying the latest iPhone.”

“The teacher's strict rules were meant to deter students from cheating.”

😄 Fun example

“Not even her mom's cooking could deter him from visiting every weekend.”

“The warning signs failed to deter the curious hikers.”

📚Related Words

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