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.

While he has conveyed how serious his Chinese counterpart is about the issue, he has also suggested that his personal relationship with Xi acts as a temporary deterrent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

They added: "I have sympathy for the change of ownership point, but it's hardly a deterrent if you can sell before you get caught... some actual transfer ban would have been appropriate."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

US Navy ships would "provide a deterrent effect," and could also "respond if the tankers get fired upon," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

That can serve as a deterrent to starting wars in the region, he said, but “also makes them more difficult to wind down.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Not only did all those police act as a deterrent, but they also provided the manpower to imprison criminals who might have otherwise gone uncaught.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt