DETERRENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does deterrent mean? 

• DETERRENT (noun)
  The noun DETERRENT has 1 sense:

1. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

  Familiarity information: DETERRENT used as a noun is very rare.

• DETERRENT (adjective)
  The adjective DETERRENT has 1 sense:

1. tending to deter

  Familiarity information: DETERRENT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DETERRENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

balk; baulk; check; deterrent; handicap; hinderance; hindrance; impediment

Hypernyms ("deterrent" is a kind of...):

difficulty (a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "deterrent"):

albatross; millstone ((figurative) something that hinders or handicaps)

bind (something that hinders as if with bonds)

diriment impediment ((canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage))

drag (something that slows or delays progress)

obstacle; obstruction (something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted)

straitjacket (anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines)

Derivation:

deter (try to prevent; show opposition to)

deterrent (tending to deter)

• DETERRENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tending to deter

Context example:

the deterrent effects of high prices

Similar:

preventative; preventive (tending to prevent or hinder)

Derivation:

deter (turn away from by persuasion)

deter (try to prevent; show opposition to)

deterrence (the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety)

deterrence (a negative motivational influence)

deterrent (something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress)