Which word means to prevent; to stop; to keep from doing something?

• A. Laudable
• B. Talisman
• C. Deter
• D. Misogynist

Answer: (C)

To deter means to prevent or discourage someone from taking a particular action. It conveys the idea of making the act seem unappealing or costly, so people choose not to do it. For example, penalties and warnings can deter rule-breaking because they raise the perceived cost of breaking the rule. The other options describe different ideas: laudable means praiseworthy, a talisman is an object believed to bring luck or protection, and a misogynist is someone who harbors prejudice against women. So deter is the word that best fits the sense of stopping someone from acting.