Dictionary

deterrence en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /dɪˈtɛɹəns/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /dɪˈtɝɹəns/ (US)
• /dɪˈtʌɹəns/ (US)
• /diˈtʌɹəns/ (US)
• /diˈtɝɹəns/ (US)

Etymology

From the stem of deterrent + -ence.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The act of deterring, or the state of being deterred.
   • effective deterrence
   • Strict penalties act as a deterrence against theft.
   • The policy relies on nuclear deterrence.
2. (countable, uncountable) An action taken by states or alliances of nations against equally powerful alliances to prevent hostile action.
   • policy of deterrence
3. (countable, uncountable) The art of producing in one's enemy the fear of attacking.
4. (countable, specifically, uncountable) The art of producing in one's enemy the fear of attacking. ▸ Nuclear deterrence: discouraging nuclear attack through the threat of nuclear retaliation.
5. (countable, uncountable) The action of discouraging an action or event by instilling doubt or fear of the penalty or punishment.

Forms

Deriveds

nuclear deterrence · underdeterrence · overdeterrence · finite deterrence · focused deterrence · phagodeterrence

Synonyms

intimidation · dissuasion

Translations (33)

ka შეკავება (action taken by states or alliances) · sv avskräckning (action taken by states or alliances) · ka შეკავება (act of deterring) · ar رَدْع (action taken by states or alliances) · el αποτροπή (action taken by states or alliances) · pl odstraszanie (action taken by states or alliances) · ru сде́рживание (art of producing fear of attacking) · pt dissuasão (act of deterring) · fi estely (act of deterring) · pt deterrência (art of producing fear of attacking) · fr dissuasion (art of producing fear of attacking) · ru удержа́ние (act of deterring) · nl afschrikking (art of producing fear of attacking) · sv avskräckning (art of producing fear of attacking) · cmn 威懾 /威慑 (act of deterring) · de Abschreckung (art of producing fear of attacking) · de Abschreckung (action taken by states or alliances) · pt deterrência (action taken by states or alliances) · pt intimidação (art of producing fear of attacking) · ar رَدْع (act of deterring) · ka შეკავების პოლიტიკა (action taken by states or alliances) · nl ontrading (act of deterring) · ar رَدْع (art of producing fear of attacking) · fi pelote (action taken by states or alliances) · pt deterrência (act of deterring) · fi pelottelu (art of producing fear of attacking) · es deterrencia (act of deterring) · de Abschreckung (act of deterring) · fr dissuasion (act of deterring) · ru устраше́ние (art of producing fear of attacking) · pl odstraszanie (art of producing fear of attacking) · pl odstraszanie (act of deterring) · hu elrettentés (act of deterring)