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 Keeping these structures can inhibit the ability of their fins to regenerate. — Junsu Kang, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 Both honey and garlic fall into the category of foods in which the bacteria can live, but under normal circumstances, the growth of spores would be inhibited, says Joy Gail Waite-Cusic, a professor of food safety at Oregon State University. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026 Murphy has long opposed any kind of Congressional intervention that would inhibit college athletes’ rights. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 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 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
  • Past popes have written letters of resignation in case of a severe illness or medical emergency that impedes them from carrying out their duties.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies and practices that facilitate violations of federal law or impede lawful federal operations, the department said.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • An architect’s struggle with Nevada’s state licensing board raises a broader question about how to regulate industry.
    — Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The group says it’s shaped several must-haves by taking lessons from Washington’s failure to regulate social media.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • 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
  • Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • Shauf quit drinking in 2020, and while The Party contains its fair share of drunken regret, alcohol is a more central subject on the afterparty’s other two outtakes.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The medical response has focused largely on treating and containing the disease, with little to no attention to the mental health of those affected.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Analysts have said the film was challenging to market, given a major twist in the plot, and that Cruise’s nearly unrecognizable appearance could have dissuaded his fan base from coming out to support the film.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His opposition to the California proposal wasn't enough to dissuade the state Democratic Party's executive board from endorsing the measure earlier this year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Otherwise, the chemicals can react against each other and hamper recyclability, or worse, release harmful byproducts into the environment.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Washington has pressed Zelenskyy to curb attacks on energy facilities, linking them to the rising price of US fuel in the run-up to midterm elections, where Republicans are expected to fare poorly.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending one of its scientists to Pennsylvania to help curb the state’s growing measles outbreak, a CDC spokesperson said Thursday.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of curb

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inheritors
inhibit
inhibited
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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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