what is a deterrent
A deterrent makes you not want to do something. Let's say there's a giant pile of cookies being guarded by an angry dog â the dog is a deterrent. People talk about deterrents most often when discussing crime. The death penalty is supposed to be a deterrent â the idea is that people will be so scared of the death penalty that they won't commit certain crimes. Jail is another deterrent. Teachers also use deterrents â the possibility of getting detention is a deterrent that should encourage students to behave. A deterrent is the opposite of a reward. A reward encourages you to do the right thing, while a deterrent discourages you from doing the wrong thing.