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

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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 And while the thought of tiny bugs inhibiting our eyelashes sounds rather frightening, the reality is far less startling. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 16 July 2026 The mechanism behind cholesterol-clearing UC San Diego researchers in La Jolla knew going into their latest study that high-cholesterol diets inhibit the ability of the liver — the cholesterol-removing organ — to clear it from the blood. — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026 However, Luna’s close proximity with Chiron in Taurus can also reveal where our attachment to safety and comfort has essentially inhibited us from our own potential. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 Third, adding synthetic fertilizer makes soil more acidic, which can inhibit arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and mycelial development. — Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, The Conversation, 8 July 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
  • Hamilton was punished for impeding McLaren's Oscar Piastri, a big hit to Hamilton's chances of a record ninth win in Hungary, and Antonelli got his sanction for failing to slow enough for a yellow flag.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • After claiming a front-row start, Hamilton was later handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, which dropped him down to fifth on the grid.
    — Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • That’s why the window to regulate the use of AI is closing fast.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • California is seen as one of the key battlegrounds for how the technology is regulated across the country.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Broad testing of people without symptoms or meaningful risk factors is discouraged.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • After Meta’s smart glasses helped normalize secretly recording people, Instagram is taking a major step to discourage such behavior.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • Avoiding represented talent or hindering communication only exacerbates the issue.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Aid organizations have said that community mistrust, insecurity due to armed conflict, and gaps in healthcare have hindered response and containment efforts.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • Eden Housing plans to build a four- or five-story building containing 50 to 60 units of affordable housing for seniors at the site, said Charles Liuzzo, Eden’s director of real estate development.
    — Theresa Clift July 29, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • All told, the guiding strategic defense principle contained in the handbook tends to be reactive rather than proactive.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The plaintiffs said studios will now be dissuaded from buying the rights to the movie, knowing that a version of it could be released by a third party for free.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • His recent moves seem designed to dissuade or prevent voters from casting their ballot, not to inspire them.
    — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • The response is also hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and mistrust among local communities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Those penalties significantly hampered an offense that failed to generate explosive plays.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Washington supplies the last motive, with CNBC framing the alliance as the sector's pushback against efforts to curb Chinese models.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The Fed has historically used higher interest rates to curb overall economic activity and rein in inflation.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 29 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inhibit

Nglish: Translation of inhibit for Spanish Speakers

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