inhibit

1 to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning Synonyms clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, hamper, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammelRelated Words balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)Near Antonyms clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promoteAntonyms aid, assist, facilitate, help

2 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations Synonyms bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, control, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tameRelated Words bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silenceNear Antonyms liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, ventAntonyms lose

3 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 deter, dissuade, discourageRelated Words divert; unsell; repelNear Antonyms egg (on), exhort, goad, prod, urge; impel, induce, promptAntonyms encourage, persuade