deter
gb/dɪtˈɚ/ us/dɪtˈɚ/
B2
English
~ 7000
visszatart, elriaszt, eltántorít, elrettent
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
to deter [someone] from doing [something]
Higher parking fines are meant to deter drivers from leaving their cars all day.
A magasabb parkolási bírságok célja, hogy visszatartsák az autósokat attól, hogy egész nap ott hagyják az autójukat.
The security guard is there mainly to deter people from stealing.
A biztonsági őr főként azért van ott, hogy visszatartsa az embereket a lopástól.
We hope the new policy will deter students from cheating on exams.
The harsh weather did not deter him from going for a run.
She tried to deter her friend from investing all his savings in one risky company.
Learner examples
The high price may deter some people from buying the car.
A magas ár egyeseket visszatarthat attól, hogy megvegyék az autót.
The teacher’s strict rules deter students from talking in class.
A tanár szigorú szabályai visszatartják a diákokat attól, hogy órán beszélgessenek.
My parents tried to deter me from dropping out of school.
The dog at the door helps deter strangers from coming in.
Nothing could deter him from following his plan.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"deter to do something"* instead of the correct pattern *"deter someone from doing something"*. Another common mistake is to use *deter* when they only mean *"avoid"* or *"not do"*; *deter* always involves an outside cause (such as fear, cost, or difficulty) that changes someone’s mind.
Meaning
discourage someone from an action
Collocations
deter someone from doing something
|deter potential offenders
|deter young people
|deter customers
|attempt to deter
|sufficient to deter
Synonyms
discourage (Very close in meaning, but slightly broader and more common in everyday speech; it does not always imply fear or punishment.)
|
dissuade (Focuses more on talking someone out of something through argument rather than fear of consequences.)
Antonyms
encourage (Means to give someone confidence or support to do something, the opposite of making them not want to do it.)
|
tempt (Means to make someone want to do something they probably should not do, the opposite of putting them off.)
Themes
society
|behavior
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a person not want to do something because they are afraid of problems or bad results.
To discourage someone from doing something by making it seem dangerous, difficult, or likely to have bad consequences.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to deter [crime/attacks/unwanted action]
Visible CCTV cameras are used to deter crime in the city center.
A belvárosban jól látható térfigyelő kamerákat használnak arra, hogy elriasszák a bűnelkövetőket.
The new law is designed to deter environmental violations by large companies.
Az új törvény célja, hogy elrettentse a nagyvállalatokat a környezetvédelmi jogsértésektől.
Stronger passwords can help deter online attacks on your account.
High taxes on cigarettes are intended to deter smoking, especially among teenagers.
The presence of police patrols may deter vandalism in the area.
Learner examples
Good street lights can help deter crime at night.
A jó közvilágítás éjszaka segíthet elriasztani a bűnelkövetőket.
Strong doors and locks deter thieves from entering the house.
Az erős ajtók és zárak elriasztják a tolvajokat attól, hogy behatoljanak a házba.
High fines are used to deter people from driving too fast.
More police in the area may deter violent crime.
Seat belt laws deter dangerous driving.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *deter* means the same as *"punish"*, but it usually refers to actions taken before something happens, to stop or reduce it, not to punish it afterward. Another error is using it without an object, as in *"The camera will deter"*; you should say what it deters, such as *"deter crime"* or *"deter thieves"*.
Meaning
make harmful acts less likely
Collocations
deter crime
|deter nuclear aggression
|deter terrorism
|deter future attacks
|measures to deter
|intended to deter
Synonyms
prevent (Stronger focus on completely stopping something from happening; *deter* often means to reduce the chance, not always to stop it entirely.)
|
discourage (Very similar, but can be more general; *deter* is often used about crime, war, or policy.)
Antonyms
encourage (To make an action more likely instead of less likely.)
|
provoke (To cause or trigger an action, especially anger or attack, rather than stopping it.)
Themes
law
|security
|government
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To help stop bad actions, such as crime or attacks, by making people afraid of the results if they do them.
To make a harmful, unwanted, or illegal action less likely to happen, especially by using measures that create fear of punishment or other negative outcomes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deter
IPA
GB/dɪtˈɚ/
US/dɪtˈɚ/
Syllables & stress
de - ter (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deter
- 3rd Person Singular: deters
- Present Participle: deterring
- Past: deterred
Word family
Forms
deters
verb
deterring
verb
deterred
verb
Core family
deterrent
noun B2
Related words
deterrence
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
undeterred
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: deterring Verb
- Irregular past: deterred Verb
Expressions
be designed to deter
1/bˈi dɪzˈaɪnd tə dɪtˈɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
made to discourage behavior
To be created or planned for the purpose of stopping people from doing something.
Examples
- These security checks are designed to deter terrorists from boarding planes.
- The warning labels are designed to deter young people from smoking.
deter crime
1/dɪtˈɚ kɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
formal
make crime less likely
To help stop crimes from happening by making people afraid of the police or other bad results.
Examples
- More cameras in public places are used to deter crime.
- Community programs can also deter crime by giving young people better choices.
deter someone from doing something
1/dɪtˈɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn fɹˈʌm dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
discourage a person from an action
To make a person decide not to do something because they think something bad will happen if they do it.
Examples
- Strict penalties are meant to deter people from driving after drinking alcohol.
- Nothing could deter her from applying to medical school.
- The new policy may deter employees from taking unnecessary risks.