de·ter·rence (d -tûr  ns, -t r-)n. 1. The act or a means of deterring. 2. Measures taken by a state or an alliance of states to prevent hostile action by another state. |
The prevention from action by fear of the consequences. Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | deterrence - a negative motivational influence rational motive - a motive that can be defended by reasoning or logical argument |
| 2. | deterrence - a communication that makes you afraid to try something discouragement - the expression of opposition and disapproval | |
| 3. | deterrence - the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety discouragement - the act of discouraging; "the discouragement of petty theft" nuclear deterrence - the military doctrine that an enemy will be deterred from using nuclear weapons as long as he can be destroyed as a consequence; "when two nations both resort to nuclear deterrence the consequence could be mutual destruction" |
deterrence
noun prevention, obstruction, inhibition, hindrance, disincentive, discouragement, dissuasion policies of nuclear deterrence
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