What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Deter vs Threaten - What's the difference?

deter | threaten |

As verbs the difference between deter and threaten

is that deter is to prevent something from happening while threaten is to make a threat against someone; to use threats.

deter

English

Verb

(deterr)
  • To prevent something from happening.
  • To persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 10.
  • we have in following enquiry, attempted to throw some light upon subjects, from which uncertainty has hitherto deterred the wise

    Anagrams

    * ----

    threaten

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a threat against someone; to use threats.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}}
    He threatened me with a knife.
  • To menace, or be dangerous.
  • The rocks threatened the ship's survival.
  • To portend, or give a warning of.
  • The black clouds threatened heavy rain.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See