deter
Make them reconsider
To deter is to discourage or prevent someone from doing something, usually through fear of consequences: The security cameras deter shoplifters.
A deterrent makes an action seem not worth the risk.
Nuclear weapons are meant to deter attack by threatening massive retaliation.
High prices deter casual buyers.
The word implies stopping action before it starts, not punishment after.
Stop in advance
forestall · thwart · preclude · impede · obstruct · inhibit · restrain · interdict
Diminish someone's confidence
- dissuadeConvince not to
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- demotivateReduce someone's eagerness
- dispiritCause to lose hope
daunt · intimidate · put off · turn away · disincentivize · dampen · chill · demoralize
Obstruct or delay
- delayEnforced waiting period
- impedeTo obstruct movement
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- curbRaised road margin
restrict · constrain · hamper · frustrate · interfere · inhibit · slow · retard
Alert about danger
- admonitionMild verbal correction
- caveatWarning or qualification
- advisoryNotice recommending action
- alarmUrgent warning signal
alert · signal · notice · threat · ultimatum · consequence · penalty · sanction
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- securityProtection from threat
- protectionGuarding against harm
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
defense system · countermeasure · missile defense · show of force · garrison · surveillance · alarm · perimeter
prevent
Stop in advance
avert · forestall · thwart · preclude · impede · obstruct · inhibit · restrain · interdict · stymie
discourage
Diminish someone's confidence
- dissuadeConvince not to
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- demotivateReduce someone's eagerness
dispirit · daunt · intimidate · put off · turn away · disincentivize · dampen · chill · demoralize · unnerve
hinder
Obstruct or delay
curb · restrict · constrain · hamper · frustrate · interfere · inhibit · slow · retard · encumber
warning
Alert about danger
- admonitionMild verbal correction
- caveatWarning or qualification
- advisoryNotice recommending action
alarm · alert · signal · notice · threat · ultimatum · consequence · penalty · sanction · punishment
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- securityProtection from threat
- protectionGuarding against harm
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
shield · defense system · countermeasure · missile defense · show of force · garrison · surveillance · alarm · perimeter · sentry
- obstructblock, halt, stop, impede, hinder
- discouraging actionsdissuade, daunt, dishearten, demoralize, dispirit
- blockingblock, barrier, barricade, blockade, obstruction
- persuasion tacticscharm, butter up, flattery, flatter, coax
- preventionflu shot, prevent, flu shots, protect, vaccines
- restrainhold back, suppress, hold in, keep in, keep down
- bound and determined
- nuclear deterrentArms discouraging aggression
- stay determinedRemain firmly committed
- sex determinationEstablishing male or female status
- deterrent effectDiscouragement through threatened consequences
determined, determination, deterrent, predetermined, indeterminate, deterring, deterred, determinate, deters