deterrence (n.)

  1. a negative motivational influence

    [ Syn: disincentive ]

  2. a communication that makes you afraid to try something

    [ Syn: determent , intimidation ]

  3. the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.