ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deter

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈtɝ// UK //dɪtˈɜː// de·ter

v. to stop someone from doing something by making them feel afraid or worried about the result. You use this when a threat or difficulty keeps a person from acting.

v. to discourage or prevent an action by instilling fear of the consequences or by presenting a significant obstacle.


SIMPLE

High prices deter many people from buying new cars.

CONTEXTUAL

The strict security measures deter visitors from entering the restricted zone without proper identification.

COMPLEX

The threat of severe economic sanctions was intended to deter the nation from pursuing its aggressive expansionist policies in the region.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē- Proto-Indo-European *tres- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *troséyeti Proto-Italic *trozeō Latin terreō Latin dēterreōbor. English deter Borrowed from Latin dēterreō (“deter, discourage”), from de (“from”) + terreō (“I frighten”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and typically takes a person or group as the direct object, often followed by 'from' + gerund.

Pitfall

deter to do somethingdeter from doing somethingThe verb 'deter' is followed by 'from' and a gerund, not an infinitive.

© 2026 English Reference