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 There has been a lot of speculation and some preliminary research about whether frequent use of generative AI products such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini might inhibit critical thinking. Larry Magid, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 While stars and filmmakers this season tried to cope candidly with questioners, their impact was nonetheless inhibited by the rigors of Oscar rules. Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026 Some species inhibit the growth of other plants. Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026 Of that group, five were determined capable of inhibiting Mpro, and two, named 1a and 5a, were seen as particularly potent. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibit
Verb
  • The game officials ruled that Gobert impeded Wembanyama's ability to safely land on the follow-through from his jump shot, giving him six flagrant foul points for the season.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The city also asks residents not to physically engage with ICE operations and not to throw objects or impede federal law enforcement.
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The court’s eventual ruling could have broad implications for how schools nationwide regulate transgender participation in athletics.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Additionally, sprouted whole-grain bread is significantly higher in blood-pressure-regulating minerals such as magnesium than bread made with refined white flour.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Teachers at Flushing High School argue that the school’s grading policy discourages students who put in consistent effort.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
  • He was widely discouraged from a career in cartoons, and after a series of rejections, majored in economics.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mansfield Park contains a slow burning love story with Fanny’s cousin Edmund and delicious subplots concerning two charming, selfish siblings, but of chief interest are Fanny’s two aunts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This single optical component contains many tiny lenses on one surface.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • No amount of criticism dissuaded him and his fans from believing that Earth has been visited repeatedly by beings from Outer Space, and will be again in the future.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Maybe this latest reminder that Davis is injury-prone is enough to dissuade the Hawks from doing the wrong thing.
    Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Archival added that rescue efforts had been hampered by the fact that any sparks created by digging machinery could ignite methane gas emitted by the landfill, per the outlet.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors reject that claim, saying the decision was based on the strength of the evidence, Utah law and a desire to curb speculation and misinformation in a case that immediately drew national and international attention.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • There has long been interest in curbing fees, and bipartisan bills to cap credit card interest rates at 10% have previously been introduced, highlighting potential appetite for the move.
    Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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