deterrence meaning

deterrence as a noun

1. a negative motivational influence

   Synonyms: disincentive

   Type of: rational motive

   Related forms: deterrent

2. a communication that makes you afraid to try something

   Synonyms: determent, intimidation

   Type of: discouragement

   Related forms: deter

3. the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety

   Type of: hindrance

   Kinds: discouragement, nuclear deterrence

   Related forms: deterrent, deter

deterrence in a sentence

• They're desperately seeking to reestablish deterrence.
• Strategic nuclear arms are only there for deterrence.
• What's Algeria's greatest military deterrence?
• Does Algeria have missile deterrence?

How to pronounce deterrence

deterrence is pronounced /dɪˈtɛrəns/ in British English and /dɪˈtɜrəns/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Words that rhyme with deterrence

• occurrence
• concurrence
• recurrence
• coinsurance
• transference