The term DETER is used to describe a variety of actions that are taken to PREVENT something from happening. This includes WARN (4 letters), THWART (6 letters), FRIGHTEN (8 letters), DAUNT (5 letters), DAMPEN (6 letters), FORESTALL (9 letters), STOP (4 letters), IMPEDE (6 letters), DEBAR (5 letters), FORFEND (7 letters), DISADVISE (9 letters), INTIMIDATE (10 letters), HALT (4 letters), DELAY (5 letters), CURB (4 letters), CHECK (5 letters), AVERT (5 letters), PREVENT (7 letters), DISCOUNTENANCE (14 letters), RESTRAIN (8 letters), DIVERT (6 letters), DISHEARTEN (10 letters), FOIL (4 letters), HINDER (6 letters), HOLDOFF (7 letters), DISSUADE (8 letters), SCAREAWAY (9 letters), DISCOURAGE (10 letters). All of these words refer to actions that are taken to STOP or PREVENT something from happening.