deterrence
(noun) the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety
determent, deterrence, intimidation
(noun) a communication that makes you afraid to try something
disincentive, deterrence
(noun) a negative motivational influence
Source: WordNet® 3.1
deterrence (countable and uncountable, plural deterrences)
The act of deterring, or the state of being deterred.
Action taken by states or alliances of nations against equally powerful alliances to prevent hostile action.
The art of producing in one's enemy the fear of attacking.
• intimidation
• dissuasion
• recentered
Source: Wiktionary
De*ter"rence, n.
Definition: That which deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
2 April 2025
(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
