deterrent
Reason to reconsider
A deterrent is something that discourages or prevents an action by making the consequences seem worse than the benefit.
Nuclear weapons serve as deterrents against attack; harsh sentences are meant to be deterrents to crime.
The word works as both noun and adjective: a deterrent effect, the threat acted as a powerful deterrent.
Something that deters creates hesitation through fear of consequences rather than physical barriers.
Factor discouraging action
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- demotivationLoss of drive
- off-puttingCausing mild aversion
- repellentCauses strong aversion
dampener · buzzkill · turnoff · wet blanket · killjoy · warning sign · red flag · caveat
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
roadblock · stumbling block · blockade · check · curb · restraint · constraint · inhibitor
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- menaceSource of potential harm
- warningAlert about danger
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
sanctions · embargo · retaliation · punishment · penalty · consequence · reprisal · force
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- fineAcceptable in quality
- imprisonmentLegal detention in jail
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
prosecution · enforcement · surveillance · security camera · alarm system · lock · fence · guard dog
Precaution against harm
- prophylacticMeasure preventing disease or harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
defense · protection · firewall · buffer · failsafe · stopgap · immunization · vaccination
Reciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- missile defenseSystem intercepting hostile projectiles
- strategic armsLarge-scale military weapons
- warheadMunition's explosive section
arsenal · military buildup · defense system · preemptive strike · second strike · escalation · arms race · disarmament
disincentive
Factor discouraging action
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- demotivationLoss of drive
- off-puttingCausing mild aversion
repellent · dampener · buzzkill · turnoff · wet blanket · killjoy · warning sign · red flag · caveat · caution
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
barrier · roadblock · stumbling block · blockade · check · curb · restraint · constraint · inhibitor · brake
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
ultimatum · sanctions · embargo · retaliation · punishment · penalty · consequence · reprisal · force · blackmail
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- fineAcceptable in quality
- imprisonmentLegal detention in jail
sentencing · prosecution · enforcement · surveillance · security camera · alarm system · lock · fence · guard dog · neighborhood watch
safeguard
Precaution against harm
- prophylacticMeasure preventing disease or harm
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
shield · defense · protection · firewall · buffer · failsafe · stopgap · immunization · vaccination · quarantine
mutually assured destruction
Reciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- missile defenseSystem intercepting hostile projectiles
- strategic armsLarge-scale military weapons
warhead · arsenal · military buildup · defense system · preemptive strike · second strike · escalation · arms race · disarmament · nonproliferation
- counteractionscountermeasure, countermove, counterattack, counterblow, counterstrike
- deterrentsguard dog, warning, security camera, penalty, padlock
- obstaclesbarriers, block, obstacles, barrier, blockers
- discouragementdiscouragement, dejection, defeatism, disappointment, letdown
- criminal lawcrime, felony, misdemeanor, murder, robbery
- Nuclearnuclear reactor, atomic bomb, nuclear energy, atomic bombs, uranium
deterrentincentive
Reward encouraging action
encouragement · inducement · stimulus · motivation · spur
- nuclear deterrentArms discouraging aggression
- nuclear deterrencePreventing war through retaliation threat
- deterrent effectDiscouragement through threatened consequences