the.com/deter
To scare someone out of a bad idea before they commit to it.
means To discourage someone from doing something by making the consequences seem unpleasant or risky.
from From Latin deterrere, literally to frighten away — de (from) plus terrere (to frighten), the same root that haunts terror and terrify.
Cold War jobDeterrence kept nukes parked through sheer mutual dread.
Fear familyShares terrere with terror, terrify, and terrible.
Crime theoryPunishment supposedly deters; evidence is famously stubborn about it.