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 This inhibiting factor has played out so far this hurricane season, with the Atlantic going quiet for weeks on end. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Beneficial bacteria also provide colonization resistance, competing with harmful microbes for nutrients and attachment sites while producing substances that inhibit their growth. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 The approach has been to treat patients with chemotherapy based on demographics and the method being tested would be individualized based on the tumor, or which agents will inhibit tumor growth, Birk said. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026 Azelaic acid helps reduce inflammation by targeting several inflammatory pathways in the skin, while helping fade pigmentation by inhibiting the pigment-forming enzyme tyrosinase. — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 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
  • Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • Most Popular For Holey, skincare shouldn’t overpower the skin, but support it in regulating itself.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • They’re regulated on the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • This altruistic philosophy, however, doesn't discourage Obeid from partnering with, or promoting trendy food businesses.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Moving these forces back from the likely front would keep its options open and discourage risk-taking by eastern NATO members.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • The money hurts, sure, and the bans aren’t fun, but losing five straight first-round picks can completely hinder a franchise.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For example, Otto’s research has shown that, in yeast, having extra copies of every gene hinders the organism’s ability to adapt to the common antifungal medication nystatin.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The lawsuit, first reported by the Times of San Diego, contains previously unreported details about the shooting and the events leading up to it.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Voting rights advocates argue that requirements to present birth certificates or passports in order to register to vote is intended to make voting more difficult, to dissuade some people from voting at all.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The specter of the lockout may dissuade owner Bob Nutting from making major changes this offseason.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • After all, why wouldn’t someone want to take one that could boost their fitness recovery, combat aging, curb hunger and trigger fat loss?
    — Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
  • California lawmakers advance sweeping bills to curb Big Tech’s power, targeting addictive social media, artificial intelligence in the workplace and voracious data centers amid mounting public anxiety over technology’s harms.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of curb

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inheritors
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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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