inhibit

verb

in-ˈhi-bət How to pronounce inhibit (audio)
Definition of inhibitnext
1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to discourage
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action a fundamental sense of propriety should have inhibited you from making a drunken spectacle of yourself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inhibit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inhibit are forbid, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

When is forbid a more appropriate choice than inhibit?

The words forbid and inhibit can be used in similar contexts, but forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use interdict instead of inhibit?

While in some cases nearly identical to inhibit, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When might prohibit be a better fit than inhibit?

The synonyms prohibit and inhibit are sometimes interchangeable, but prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inhibit Sunflowers produce allelopathic compounds that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. — Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026 Sleep disruption could inhibit the drug’s actions as well, as poor sleep is shown to delay the release of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. — Nadine Wehida, Scientific American, 25 June 2026 Moon said that grieving Barnett has been a slow, complex process inhibited by the nearly two years of legal proceedings between her father’s death and Johnson’s conviction. — Ilana Arougheti june 30, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 In particular, the fatty acids may help inhibit the release of small inflammatory proteins believed to contribute to migraine development. — Joy Emeh, Health, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibit
  1. impede
  2. regulate
  3. discourage
  4. hinder
  5. contain
  6. dissuade
  7. hamper
  8. curb
Verb
  • Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.
    — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
  • These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Many gardeners buy praying mantis egg cases (oothecae) from garden nurseries, but this practice is discouraged for two reasons.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as straw or leaf mulch, will discourage weeds in garden beds, says Langelo.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • Pomegranates also contain vitamin K and folate, which can help support healthy blood clotting and cell growth, respectively.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The Lineage warehouse, built in 2018, is likely to contain different materials of concern.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Leaders using this phrase create an unsafe psychological environment, dissuading any dissent or improvement curiosity.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Nothing in your life has dissuaded you from these early surmises.
    — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Learn about new regulations that aim to curb contact with swimmers.
    — Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The Financial Times reported that Google has curbed Meta’s use of its AI models after the Facebook and Instagram parent company wanted to use more computing capacity than Google could provide.
    — John Kell, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Definition of curb

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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inhibit

Nglish: Translation of inhibit for Spanish Speakers

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