- serving or tending to deter.
- something that prevents, checks, or suppresses: a deterrent to crime.
- something that repels: Our lemongrass-based bug deterrent is natural, safe, and effective.
- military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.
- something that deters
- a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another
- tending or used to deter; restraining
