deterrent
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.
"There is need for a stiff deterrent sentence," Judge Gichobi said, noting the "rising cases of dealing in large quantities of garden ants and the negative ecological side effects".
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Successfully prosecuted cases of the most egregious offenders are a deterrent, and when government resources to enforce the laws are weakened, “it has to undermine confidence in the tax system.”
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Our adversaries or neutral powers may do this, as a deterrent against American aggression.
From Slate • Apr. 8, 2026
Swift and effective prosecution can be a much stronger deterrent to misconduct than regulations that aim to prevent misconduct but rarely do.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Like the majority of American law-enforcement officials, Dewey is certain that capital punishment is a deterrent to violent crime, and he felt that if ever the penalty had been earned, the present instance was it.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Vocabulary lists containing deterrent
The Book Thief
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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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This Week in Words: April 14 - 20, 2018
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