Deterrence: meaning, example and synonyms
Deterrencen. The discouraging of an action by making people fear its consequences.
Example
Ecologists suspect that the bright coloring of certain frogs works as deterrence, since predators that once taste the bitter skin learn to avoid every similar frog.
- Part of speech
- noun
- Synonyms
- discouragement, dissuasion, prevention, intimidation
- Antonyms
- encouragement, incitement, provocation
- Memory tip
- DETER = scare off; deterrence stops an act before it starts.
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Check yourself: Deterrence in context
Some legal scholars question whether harsh sentences actually achieve ______, since many offenders never expect to be caught and so never weigh the punishment at all.
Answer: deterrence. Harsh sentences are meant to discourage crime through fear of punishment, which is deterrence. craftsmanship (skill in making things), mentorship (guidance from an experienced person) and proxy (a stand-in) don't fit this context.
The porcupine's quills serve mainly as ______: most predators that encounter them once learn to keep their distance rather than risk a painful mouthful.
Answer: deterrence. Quills discourage attacks by making predators fear the consequences, so deterrence fits. mentorship (guidance from an experienced person), craftsmanship (skill in making things) and parameter (a defining limit) don't fit this context.