The word deter is rooted in fear. It was borrowed into English around the mid-16th century from the Latin verb deterrēre, which in turn was formed by combining de-, meaning "from" or …

DETER definition: 1. to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing…. Learn more.

DETER meaning: 1 : to cause (someone) to decide not to do something often + from; 2 : to prevent (something) from happening

By limiting the amount of their own money people can access, they announce that a country is in crisis and deter investment.

Definition of deter verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

To deter someone from doing something means to prevent them from doing it or to persuade them not to do it. During the war, a flood would not have deterred me from going there on foot. …

Oct 4, 2025 · deter (third-person singular simple present deters, present participle deterring, simple past and past participle deterred) (transitive) To prevent something from happening.

Deter definition: To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt.

Deter definition: to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding.. See examples of DETER used in a sentence.

Synonyms for DETER: dissuade, discourage, inhibit, divert, repel, unsell; Antonyms of DETER: encourage, persuade, urge, induce, egg (on), exhort, prompt, goad