Deter
/dɪˈtɜr/
verbB2
Definition
Deter means to make someone not want to do something, usually because they fear a bad result or problem. It is often used when talking about stopping bad behavior or preventing something unwanted by causing worry or doubt.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
To stop or discourage someone from doing something by making them afraid or unsure
- •The warning signs deter people from entering the dangerous area.
- •High prices deter many customers from buying the product.
- •The fear of punishment can deter crime.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'deter' like 'stop,' but with a feeling of fear or doubt that makes someone decide not to act
- ✓Picture a big sign saying 'Danger! No entry' that makes people think twice before going in
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you don’t do something because you worry about getting into trouble
- ✓Sounds like 'de-ter' → imagine a 'door' that blocks you and says 'Don't go' to stop you
- ✓Think of a police officer standing on the street to deter people from breaking rules
- ✓NOT like 'force' (which makes someone do or not do something by power), deter works by making someone choose not to do something themselves
- ✓NOT like 'prevent' (which means to stop something from happening directly), deter influences a choice by fear or doubt
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Discourage: to make someone less confident or willing (Use when the focus is on making someone feel less sure or less excited)
- •Prevent: to stop something from happening (Use when something is stopped directly, not just by fear or doubt)
- •Frighten: to make someone afraid (Use when the main reason is fear, stronger than just doubt)
- •Stop: to make someone or something not continue (Use when action is completely ended)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix 'de-' (often means removal or reversal) + root 'ter' (from Latin 'terrere' meaning to frighten)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'deterrēre,' meaning to frighten away or discourage
- •Historical development: Originally used to mean frightening someone so they do not do something; meaning expanded to general discouragement
- •Modern usage: Used to talk about stopping actions by causing fear, doubt, or worry, especially in rules, laws, and warnings
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can something deter you even if it does not directly stop you? How does fear or doubt influence your decisions?
•How can governments or communities use deterrence to reduce bad behavior without using force?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.Warning signs are used to deter people ___ entering dangerous places.
2.High costs often deter customers ___ buying certain products.
3.The police presence can deter crime because it makes criminals ___ about getting caught.
4.Unlike forcing someone, to deter means to make them choose not to act because of ___.
5.People may be deterred ___ trying new things if they fear failure.
6.Laws are made to deter people ___ breaking the rules.
7.If something only makes you stop for a moment but you still do it, it does not fully ___ you.