1. the act or process of discouraging or preventing someone from doing something, typically through fear of consequences
Usage: formal; often used in legal and policy contexts
2. something that discourages or prevents action; a deterrent
Usage: formal; less common than 'deterrent'

Examples

• The high cost of fines serves as a determent to illegal dumping.
• Swift punishment is an effective determent against crime.
• The threat of legal action was a strong determent to the company's unethical practices.
• Lack of enforcement can reduce the determent value of any law.
• Education about consequences is a better determent than fear alone.
• The new security system acts as a determent to potential burglars.