inhibiting

verb

present participle of inhibit
1
as in impeding
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning

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

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3
as in dissuading
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inhibiting What's inside the box isn't inhibiting me. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 Mature dill plants can harm tomato plants by taking up soil nutrients and inhibiting tomato root growth. — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026 Combine one part of vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle for a DIY solution, or use a commercial mold-inhibiting cleaner. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 Pre-emergent herbicides work by inhibiting root development immediately after a seed germinates. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 May 2026 For example, states would often impose tariffs on each other’s goods, even if those goods were moving only from Virginia to Maryland and vice versa, thereby inhibiting the development of a national market and hamstringing internal trade. — Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 In animal studies, tirzepatide—the dual-receptor drug sold as Zepbound—appears to have target tumors in breast cancer and endometrial cancer, possibly by reversing the inflammatory effects of obesity and inhibiting tumor growth. — Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 8 June 2026 This follows a series of antitrust victories against the NCAA and power conferences that have upended a system long inhibiting players’ abilities to fully benefit from the wealth their talents generated. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026 In 2024, Carolyn Silverman and I wrote about how 82% of the American population has been sorted into states controlled by a single party, inhibiting political choice and eroding representative democracy. — Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibiting
  1. impeding
  2. controlling
  3. dissuading
  4. hampering
  5. regulating
  6. discouraging
  7. hindering
  8. curbing
Verb
  • 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
  • Florida’s sanctuary city laws forbid local governments from impeding ICE from doing its job, such as by not sharing information with the federal government.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • The Argentine legend unlocked the Cape Verde defense in the 29th minute, controlling a long diagonal pass with one touch in the box and promptly flicking it over the head of a charging Vozinha.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Intelligent power switches can monitor electrical flow while controlling loads more efficiently.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of controlling
Verb
  • Leaders using this phrase create an unsafe psychological environment, dissuading any dissent or improvement curiosity.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Pablo Andres Aguilera Mora, 46, is being held in the Santa Clara County Main Jail for criminal charges including murder, assault with a deadly weapon, dissuading a witness and contempt of court, according to court records.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of dissuading
Verb
  • Critics argue that the approach risks hampering Europe’s competitiveness.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 June 2026
  • The sanctions are hampering work on a broad array of investigations at the court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • Alysa Guffey After intense pushback to the first draft of the zoning ordinance, the city's Department of Metropolitan, the city agency charged with regulating land use and zoning in the city limits, tweaked the proposal to tighten some regulations.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
  • When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
    — Hali Smith July 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026
Definition of regulating
Verb
  • Today, there are European governments discouraging AC use, power grids ill-equipped to absorb new cooling demand, and a growing tension between climate goals and adaptation needs.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Some sites are ‘lost forever’ The list of sites in the heart of Miami that have been found, only to be lost again, is at the same time discouraging and startling.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of discouraging
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
  • This raises concerns as companies reduce entry-level hiring, hindering the development of crucial tacit knowledge.
    — Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of hindering
Verb
  • Opposition parties and human rights organizations have accused Erdogan of undermining democracy and curbing freedom of expression.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • These Forme shorts activate the glutes and abs through biofeedback while curbing joint stress.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Definition of curbing

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Cite this Entry

“Inhibiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibiting. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inhibiting for Spanish Speakers

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