1. discourages or prevents someone from doing something by making them afraid of the consequences
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘deter’

Examples

• The high cost of parking deters many people from driving downtown.
• The security camera deters shoplifters from stealing merchandise.
• Bad weather often deters tourists from visiting the beach.
• The threat of punishment deters students from cheating on exams.
• A strong fence deters animals from entering the garden.
• The complexity of the application process deters some candidates from applying.