Adjacent Words

deterrence definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a negative motivational influence [syn: disincentive, deterrence] [ant: incentive, inducement, motivator]
2: a communication that makes you afraid to try something [syn: determent, deterrence, intimidation]
3: the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1861 the act or process of deterring: as a. the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment b. the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack

U.S. Military Dictionary

The prevention from action by fear of the consequences. Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction. (JP 3-40)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Deterrence De*ter"rence, n. That which deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Deterrence is the prevention of something, especially war or crime, by having something such as weapons or punishment to use as a threat. ...policies of nuclear deterrence.