inhibits

verb

present tense third-person singular of inhibit
1
as in impedes
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in regulates
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discourages
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 inhibits Research found that capsaicin inhibits the inflammatory pathway in the body, blocking inflammation from occurring. — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 26 Oct. 2026 Energizer Ultimate Child Shield eliminates the risk of burning by utilizing titanium, which inhibits the chemical reaction that makes these shiny buttons so dangerous. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Some seeds are covered in a very hard seed coat that inhibits germination by blocking water from getting through. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 Additionally, the metal has a non reactive layer of chromium oxide that further inhibits the strong chemical bond necessary for an actual seasoning to develop. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake, the EPA said. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026 This inhibits collective action because each country, offered selective relief in some cases, has reason to cut its own deal rather than hold the line with the others. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 All the existing independent research on AI and the brain suggests that AI use inhibits our ability to learn . — Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026 Neem oil naturally inhibits fungal spores from spreading or penetrating plant leaves. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibits
  1. impedes
  2. regulates
  3. discourages
  4. hinders
  5. contains
  6. dissuades
  7. hampers
  8. restrains
Verb
  • Federal officials argue that California’s refusal to review the federal list or set aside the associated ballots impedes enforcement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The stigma of a record impedes their ability to get a job, leaving them unable to afford market-rate housing at a time when affordable housing is already limited.
    — Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of impedes
Verb
  • Doctors point to how the body regulates its own temperature at night, and how a cozy pair of socks can nudge that process along.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Every few years, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, which regulates the sport, makes the teams redesign their cars.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulates
Verb
  • But others support the changes, saying the more car-centric configuration discourages pedestrians and cyclists while making traffic more dangerous.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In its lawsuit, Arizona said ChatGPT encourages teens to share personal information with it and, at times, discourages them from sharing that information with parents, authorities or friends.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of discourages
Verb
  • Unexcused absences in three consecutive elections freeze tax IDs, block nonvoters from applying to state jobs, hinders loans from state banks, and delays the issuance of passports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • This method prevents nitrogen from diluting the exhaust gas, which hinders combustion and keeps the CO₂ concentration relatively low.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hinders
Verb
  • This floor also contains a guest bedroom and bathroom, staff quarters, laundry and a security room.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This spice contains plant compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which help lower the level of inflammatory proteins in the body and block inflammation from occurring.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of contains
Verb
  • Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs.
    — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Whether their internal strength at the position dissuades them from allocating money to Abrams remains to be seen.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of dissuades
Verb
  • But the inability a company to buy ads hampers a campaign’s visibility and removes a key tool that studios use to spread the word about a movie currently in theaters.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Farther down, the levee that restrains the rivers is a low line of trees into the horizon.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The constitutional exclusionary rule restrains government, not private parties, so the Fourth Amendment generally does not bar evidence wrongfully obtained by a private actor.
    — Jihun Joun, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of restrains

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inhibitors
inhibits
inhospitable
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Cite this Entry

“Inhibits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibits. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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