deterrent

2 definitions • 3 examples

something that deters people from doing something:

nuclear deterrent There has been a public call to rid the country of its nuclear deterrent (= nuclear weapon system).

act/serve as a deterrent to Tougher prison sentences may act/serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

making someone less likely to do something by making it difficult for them to do it or by making them realize that it will have bad results:

a deterrent effect