(v. t.) To prevent by fear; to hinder or prevent from action by fear of consequences\, or difficulty, risk, etc.

anticipate avert awe bar block blunt check chill cool damp dampen daunt debar deflect disaffect discourage dishearten disincline disinterest dissuade distract divert estop exclude faze fend fend off forbid foreclose forestall frighten help hinder impede indispose inhibit intimidate keep from keep off obstruct obviate overawe preclude prevent prohibit put off quench repel restrain rule out save scare scare off shake shut out stave off stop turn aside turn away turn from turn off ward ward off wean from