Synonyms

deterrence

American

[dih-tur-uhns, -tuhr-, -ter-] / dɪˈtɜr əns, -ˈtʌr-, -ˈtɛr- /

Sometimes deterrency

noun

the act of deterring, especially deterring a nuclear attack by the capacity or threat of retaliating.

deterrence Cultural

A military capability sufficiently strong to discourage any would-be aggressor from starting a war because of the fear of retaliation. (See balance of terror.)

Etymology

Origin of deterrence

First recorded in 1860–65; deterr(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s hard to imagine a greater accomplishment than to achieve peace while stiffening the sinews of deterrence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Much of this rhetoric might have been intended for deterrence, which has now failed.

From Barron's

This month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he was holding "confidential talks with the French president about European nuclear deterrence".

From Barron's

Pascal Confavreux, a ministry spokesman, phrased it more diplomatically: “We use irony and humor to deliver a punch and create deterrence by exposing the absurdity of the claims made by those who attack us.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023