verb
Uncommon
deter
dih-TUR
Deter (verb) means to discourage someone from doing something, usually through fear of a consequence. Example: “The high fence is meant to deter trespassers.”
verb
1
To discourage someone from doing something, usually through fear of a consequence.
"The high fence is meant to deter trespassers."
"Bad weather didn't deter the runners from finishing the race."
How to use deter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put someone off doing something, usually by making it seem risky or unappealing.
Common pairings
deter crime
deter someone from
fail to deter
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deters
- Past tense
- deterred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The high fence is meant to _____ trespassers.
Etymology
From Latin deterrere, "to frighten away" — from de- ("away") and terrere ("to frighten").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deter
See all rhymes for deter →Frequently asked questions
What does “deter” mean?
The word “deter” means to discourage someone from doing something, usually through fear of a consequence. In plain terms, to put someone off doing something, usually by making it seem risky or unappealing.
How do you pronounce “deter”?
“Deter” is pronounced dih-TUR (/dɪˈtɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “deter” in a sentence?
Here is “deter” used in a sentence: “The high fence is meant to deter trespassers.”
What part of speech is “deter”?
“Deter” is a verb.
Where does the word “deter” come from?
The word “deter” comes from Latin. From Latin deterrere, "to frighten away" — from de- ("away") and terrere ("to frighten").
Is “deter” a common word?
“Deter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
