deterrent
[noun]
Synonyms: discouragement, check, curb, disincentive, hindrance, impediment, obstacle, restraint

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

de‧ter‧rent /dɪˈterənt $ -ˈtɜːr-/ noun [countable]

1. something that makes someone less likely to do something, by making them realize it will be difficult or have bad results:
The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent.
deterrent to/for/against
Window locks are an effective deterrent against burglars.
the deterrent effect of prison sentences

2. nuclear deterrent the nuclear weapons that a country has in order to prevent other countries from attacking it
—deterrence noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

deterrent
noun
ADJ. effective, good, great, powerful, real | the ultimate Defenders of the death penalty clearly regard it as the ultimate deterrent.
nuclear They stressed the need for an independent nuclear deterrent.
VERB + DETERRENT act as, be a punishment that will act as a deterrent to other offenders
DETERRENT + NOUN effect They were arguing about the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons.
PREP. as a ~ The bodies of executed criminals were hung on the city gates as a deterrent.
~ against a deterrent against cheating
~ for There is no effective deterrent for these young criminals.
~ to a deterrent to crime a deterrent to all but the most determined attacker

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲