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" |