Crossword Genius

Discouragement to stop regular payment (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deterrent

'discouragement' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'stop regular payment' is the wordplay.
'stop' becomes 'deter' (to deter behaviour is to stop it).
'regular payment' becomes 'rent' (rent is a kind of regular payment).
'deter'+'rent'='DETERRENT'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for deterrent that I've seen before include "Something intended to discourage" , "Something discouraging action" , "barrier" , "Discouragement, disincentive" , "Nuclear weapons allegedly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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