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 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 Some Align probiotics contain Bifidobacterium animalis, a probiotic shown to inhibit pathogens. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 The rough waters, which included waves that were about 13 feet high, inhibited rescue efforts. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Those numbers assume a dark and clear sky, meaning get far away from city lights, as light pollution can quickly inhibit the viewing experience. — Joe Ruch, CBS News, 11 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
  • Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Lynda Albertson, an art crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • According to some studies, its combination of protein and calcium may help regulate blood sugar levels.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • GLP-1s work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
    — Jessica Starr, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Pilgrims walk between temples, rest in historic ryokan and keep to contemplative daily rituals that discourage mass, high-speed tourism.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • No ground was made up in the quarterback competition, which is discouraging in itself.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • Moser's mother, Rachel Moser, was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, and related charges.
    — Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • The Cohen Building originally housed the Social Security Administration, an important piece of the New Deal legacy, and contains frescoes painted in the 1940s by famed artist Seymour Fogel on the entrance lobby walls, Okin said.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The focus will be on advanced heat management and battery performance, given temperatures exceeding 40°C can cut battery range by as much as 22%, dissuading potential buyers who frequently navigate long desert routes.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • He was initially charged with seven felony counts, including assault, misdemeanor battery, injuring a girlfriend, and dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissuade
Verb
  • Collapsed buildings East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko said power outages hampered the spread of information about the impact of the earthquake in cities and villages, complicating search and rescue efforts.
    — Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The attack is hampered further by uncertainty over when left-winger Kaoru Mitoma will be available to return from hamstring surgery.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Hobart, Indiana, officers curbed the car and turned it over to Evergreen Park officers, police said.
    — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The two leaders have met three times, but their diplomacy has not produced an agreement curbing Pyongyang’s nuclear program.
    — Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of inhibit for Spanish Speakers

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