deterrent
gb/dɪtˈɚɹənt/ us/dɪtˈɚɹənt/
B2
English
~ 9600
visszatartó erő, visszatartó tényező, visszatartó, elrettentő, nukleáris elrettentő erő, nukleáris elrettentő képesség
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a deterrent to/against [action]
The high cost of parking is a deterrent to people who might otherwise drive into the city center.
A parkolás magas költsége visszatartó tényező azok számára, akik egyébként autóval mennének be a belvárosba.
Harsh penalties are meant to be a deterrent against drunk driving.
A szigorú büntetések célja, hogy visszatartó erőt jelentsenek az ittas vezetéssel szemben.
Visible security cameras can act as a deterrent to theft in stores.
For many students, the risk of failing the exam is a strong deterrent to skipping class.
The lack of public transport is a serious deterrent to working in that area.
Learner examples
The new fine is a deterrent to smoking in public places.
Az új bírság visszatartó tényező a nyilvános helyeken való dohányzással szemben.
A dog at the door can be a deterrent to thieves.
Az ajtónál lévő kutya visszatartó erő lehet a tolvajok számára.
Long prison sentences are used as a deterrent against serious crime.
Bad weather was a deterrent to our weekend plans.
The loud alarm is a deterrent to anyone who tries to break in.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun 'deterrent' with the verb 'deter'. Use 'deterrent' as a thing: 'This law is a deterrent to crime.' Use 'deter' as a verb: 'This law deters crime.' Also, the common prepositions are 'to' and 'against': 'a deterrent to crime', 'a deterrent against theft', not 'a deterrent for crime' in standard usage.
Meaning
Thing that discourages an action
Collocations
serve as a deterrent
|act as a deterrent
|strong deterrent
|effective deterrent
|provide a deterrent
|deterrent to crime
Synonyms
disincentive (Often used for financial or policy-related things that reduce motivation.)
|
discouragement (More general and emotional; not always about stopping a specific action.)
|
hindrance (Focuses on making something harder rather than on changing someone’s decision.)
Antonyms
incentive (Something that makes people more likely to do something, often through reward.)
|
encouragement (Emotional or verbal support that makes someone want to do something.)
Themes
law
|society
|crime
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Something that makes people not want to do something.
Something that discourages someone from doing something, especially by making it more difficult, costly, or risky.
B2
2
visszatartó
B2
elrettentő
B2
Usage pattern:
deterrent [noun]
The possibility of losing their license has a strong deterrent effect on reckless drivers.
A jogosítvány elvesztésének lehetősége erős visszatartó hatással van a vakmerő sofőrökre.
The government introduced deterrent measures to reduce tax evasion.
A kormány elrettentő intézkedéseket vezetett be az adóelkerülés csökkentésére.
Heavy fines are used as a deterrent punishment for illegal dumping.
Public shaming can sometimes have a deterrent influence on bad behavior.
They argued that the law lacks any real deterrent power.
Learner examples
The high price has a deterrent effect on buyers.
A magas ár visszatartó hatással van a vásárlókra.
The company brought in deterrent rules to stop late work.
A cég elrettentő szabályokat vezetett be, hogy megakadályozza a későig tartó munkát.
Stronger, deterrent laws may reduce corruption.
Good street lights can have a deterrent effect on crime.
These deterrent steps made students think twice about cheating.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'very deterrent'* instead of using it with a noun, as in 'a strong deterrent effect' or 'highly deterrent measures'. 'Deterrent' is usually followed by a noun (effect, measures, policy) rather than used alone like 'good' or 'bad'.
Meaning
Preventing or discouraging something
Collocations
deterrent effect
|deterrent measures
|deterrent policy
|deterrent role
|deterrent action
|deterrent strategy
Synonyms
discouraging (More general and emotional; not always linked to rules or punishment.)
|
preventive (Focuses on stopping something before it happens, often in medical or policy contexts.)
Antonyms
encouraging (Makes an action more likely instead of less likely.)
|
permissive (Allows actions easily, giving little or no attempt to stop them.)
Themes
law
|policy
|crime
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Definition
Able to stop or reduce an action by making people afraid or unwilling to do it.
Causing someone not to do something, especially by creating fear, difficulty, or a negative consequence.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[country] maintains a [type] deterrent
They argue that a credible nuclear deterrent is essential for national security.
Szerintük egy hiteles nukleáris elrettentő képesség elengedhetetlen a nemzetbiztonsághoz.
Some politicians question whether the country still needs an independent deterrent.
Egyes politikusok megkérdőjelezik, hogy az országnak még mindig szüksége van-e önálló nukleáris elrettentő erőre.
Modernization of the strategic deterrent has become a major political issue.
The alliance depends on a shared deterrent to discourage any potential aggressor.
Critics say the cost of maintaining the deterrent is too high.
Learner examples
The country keeps a nuclear deterrent to stop other nations from attacking.
Az ország nukleáris elrettentő erőt tart fenn, hogy más államokat visszatartson a támadástól.
Leaders said their deterrent is only for protection, not for attack.
A vezetők szerint a nukleáris elrettentő erejük csak védelemre szolgál, nem támadásra.
Many people debate if the nuclear deterrent is still necessary.
They want to reduce the size of the deterrent to save money.
The strong deterrent made enemy countries afraid to start a war.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is mainly used in political and military discussions, usually in fixed phrases like 'nuclear deterrent' or 'strategic deterrent'. It does not refer to everyday punishments or small threats.
Meaning
Military power preventing enemy attack
Collocations
nuclear deterrent
|credible deterrent
|strategic deterrent
|effective deterrent
|deterrent capability
|deterrent force
Synonyms
military deterrent (More explicit about the military nature; otherwise the same basic idea.)
|
defensive capability (Broader; includes general defense, not only the power to frighten enemies.)
Antonyms
disarmament (The reduction or removal of weapons instead of keeping them as a threat.)
|
vulnerability (A state of weakness that invites attack rather than deterring it.)
Themes
military
|politics
|international_relations
|law
Definition
The military power, especially nuclear weapons, that a country keeps to stop other countries from attacking it.
A country's military power, especially nuclear weapons, maintained to prevent attack by making enemies fear strong retaliation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deterrent
IPA
GB/dɪtˈɚɹənt/
US/dɪtˈɚɹənt/
Syllables & stress
de - terrent (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (terrent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: deterrent
Noun
- Base: deterrent
- Plural: deterrents
Word family
Forms
deterrents
noun
Core family
deter
verb B2
deterrence
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
undeterred
adjective
Expressions
act as a deterrent
1/ˈækt ˈæz ə dɪtˈɚɹənt/
fixed phrase
Behave in a way that discourages
To have the effect of stopping or reducing an action because people are afraid of the result.
Examples
- High taxes may act as a deterrent to investment.
- Bright lighting can act as a deterrent to vandalism.
- Strict school rules act as a deterrent against bullying.
deterrent effect
1/dɪtˈɚɹənt ɪfˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
Effect that discourages an action
The result of something that makes people less likely to do something.
Examples
- There is little evidence that the death penalty has a deterrent effect.
- Experts doubt that these laws will have any real deterrent effect.
- The visible cameras seem to have a deterrent effect on shoplifters.
nuclear deterrent
1/nˈukliɚ dɪtˈɚɹənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Nuclear weapons preventing attack
A supply of nuclear weapons that a country keeps to stop other countries from attacking it.
Examples
- The government is debating whether to renew its nuclear deterrent.
- Some argue that a strong nuclear deterrent keeps the peace.
- They questioned the cost of maintaining the nuclear deterrent.
serve as a deterrent
1/sˈɚv ˈæz ə dɪtˈɚɹənt/
fixed phrase
Function to discourage an action
To be something that makes people not want to do something.
Examples
- The new fines are meant to serve as a deterrent to littering.
- Visible police patrols serve as a deterrent against street crime.
- Harsh penalties can serve as a deterrent to future offenses.