Definition of inhibitnext
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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 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 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 a 2021 study, the company demonstrated that its neutralizing antibody can suppress a protein, dubbed USAG-1, which inhibits the growth of tooth buds. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 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 See All Example Sentences for inhibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibit
Verb
  • Last week, without explanation, federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss all charges against Chicago Laugh Factory manager Nathan Griffin, who had been charged with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal officer.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
  • There will no doubt be some who will try to impede the investigation.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • There are no federal laws regulating the use or development of chatbots.
    Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
  • For more than 100 years, independent government agencies have regulated American monetary policy and stock trades, transportation systems and election campaigns, consumer product safety and broadcast licenses all free from direct political interference and supervision by the White House.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • My advice to early career scientists is to follow your passion and not be discouraged by the current stress on the system.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
  • Kamada said the talent and experience of his teammates helped Japan avoid being discouraged after falling behind for a second time.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Interfering with universities’ ability to conduct worthwhile research from start to finish will hinder private investment and innovation, and therefore the economy.
    Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Furthermore, expanding supply is severely hindered by slow European environmental and construction permitting processes, making the development of large-scale production facilities a significant challenge.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The Chiefs Hall of Honor on the second-level concourse contains the organization’s four Super Bowl trophies, memorabilia, exhibits and documents, and there is no admission to walk through history.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
  • The farm system does not contain an endless supply of prospects.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Altering that process significantly enough to ease that bottleneck would likely come with other trade-offs, experts said, such as earlier deadlines to turn in certain ballots or more time-consuming ballot drop-offs — either of which might dissuade some voters from showing up.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
  • Now greater accountability around no true bills might help dissuade further chicanery by prosecutors.
    Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.
    James Pollard, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • Congolese health authorities have previously said contact tracing has been hampered by community resistance in some areas and by the rapid expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the workload for surveillance teams.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Starmer’s government has been considering tougher limits on children’s social media as governments around the world face growing pressure to curb young people’s time online.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 June 2026
  • California had always permitted raw milk to be sold in stores, but Los Angeles County’s more stringent rules had, in effect, curbed its retail sales.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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