inhibitor

noun

in·hib·i·tor | \ in-ˈhi-bə-tər

Definition of inhibitor

: one that inhibits: such as

a : an agent that slows or interferes with a chemical action

b : a substance that reduces or suppresses the activity of another substance (such as an enzyme)

Examples of inhibitor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kisqali, which is taken as a tablet, is one of a few newer breast cancer drugs on the market called CDK4/6 inhibitors, a type of drug that works by blocking two proteins that help cancer cells grow and divide. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "A New Breast Cancer Treatment Can Extend the Lives of Younger Patients, Study Finds," 4 June 2019 The immune-activating drug was a checkpoint inhibitor called pembrolizumab, or Keytruda, made by Merck, which paid for the study. — Denise Grady, BostonGlobe.com, "Lung cancer patients live longer with immune therapy," 17 Apr. 2018 The immune-activating drug was a checkpoint inhibitor called pembrolizumab, or Keytruda, made by Merck, which paid for the study. — Denise Grady, BostonGlobe.com, "Lung cancer patients live longer with immune therapy," 17 Apr. 2018 The immune-activating drug was a checkpoint inhibitor called pembrolizumab, or Keytruda, made by Merck, which paid for the study. — Denise Grady, New York Times, "Lung Cancer Patients Live Longer With Immune Therapy," 16 Apr. 2018 Sales of Tesaro’s cancer drug Zejula, part of a drug class called PARP inhibitors, reached $166 million in the first three quarters of the year. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "Glaxo Reignites Biotech’s Bull Run," 3 Dec. 2018 The other two became tumor-free after the vaccine was paired with a checkpoint inhibitor. — Sam Spengler, Smithsonian, "Where We Are in the Hunt for a Cancer Vaccine," 22 Mar. 2018 Safe and effective Finding a new and seemingly safe topoisomerase inhibitor left the path clear for Phase 2 clinical trials: a test of whether zoliflodacin worked safely in 141 patients with gonorrhea. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "New anti-gonorrhea drug called “metal as f–k”," 15 Nov. 2018 Only if Ezetimibe doesn’t work should patients be prescribed a PCSK9 inhibitor—a class of drugs shown to be highly effective in lowering the cholesterol of patients whose LDL is 100 or more. — Betsy Mckay, WSJ, "New Guidelines for Treating High Cholesterol Take a Personal Approach," 10 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inhibitor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.