The Collaborative International Dictionary
Deter \De*ter"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deterred; p. pr. & vb. n.
Deterring.] [L. deterrere; de + terrere to frighten,
terrify. See Terror.]
To prevent by fear; hence, to hinder or prevent from action
by fear of consequences, or difficulty, risk, etc.
--Addison.
Potent enemies tempt and deter us from our duty.
--Tillotson.
My own face deters me from my glass.
--Prior.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of deter English)
WordNet
v. try to prevent; show opposition to; "We should discourage this practice among our youth" [syn: discourage]
turn away from by persuasion; "Negative campaigning will only dissuade people" [syn: dissuade] [ant: persuade]
See deter
Usage examples of "deterring".
These three simple facts have led a number of policy analysts and academics to conclude that a strategy of deterring Saddam, should he acquire nuclear weapons, is eminently feasible.
The Scots did the special job they had been imported for, which was deterring Chico and me, and I heard one of them tell Peter Rammileese that now that they had done what was ordered they were going north straight away, they'd been in the south too long.
I must make another attempt to remove the deterring factor--myself, he thought coolly.
Her back was to him, but that did not seem to be deterring him in the least.