Deterrence

noun (uncountable; occasionally countable)

/dɪˈtɛrəns/

The strategy of discouraging an adversary from taking hostile action by maintaining credible military capability and the demonstrated willingness to use it, thereby raising the cost of aggression beyond any potential gain.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's nuclear posture rests on credible minimum deterrence and a declared no-first-use policy, signalling that its arsenal exists to dissuade aggression rather than to wage war.

Synonyms

dissuasiondiscouragementpreventionintimidationrestraintdisincentive

Antonyms

incitementencouragementprovocationinducement

🌱 Word Family

deter (v), deterred (adj), deterring (v pres.p), deterrent (adj/n), deterrable (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin deterrēre = to frighten away; de- = away from + terrēre = to frighten; + -ence suffix

📜 Etymology

From the stem of Latin deterrēre ("to frighten away"), from de- ("away from") + terrēre ("to frighten"), with the suffix -ence; first used in English in the 1860s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Root link: de- (away) + terrere (to TERRify) -- deterrence keeps a threat away by instilling terror of the consequences. Think "deter the terror."

🤝 International Relations 📖 Seen in: India's Strategic Partnerships — USA, ...

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