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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 Moreover, researchers demonstrated PLM-Interact’s ability to identify how mutations influence protein interactions, leading to genetic diseases or inhibiting important PPIs in cancers. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025 In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is known to inhibit aromatase at higher doses. Md Published, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025 Anthocyanins are anti-inflammatory antioxidants that have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in animal studies. Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025 For Black men, systemic racism has inhibited their response to pain and emotional turmoil by shaming them out of vulnerability, which reduces the likelihood of them asking for help when needed. Essence, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inhibit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibit
Verb
  • Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Like several of her colleagues, Strickland submitted anonymous complaints to the Department of Agriculture, which regulates facilities and labs under the Animal Welfare Act.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Some dissenting judges on the court, though, said the 1977 law allows the president to regulate imports during emergencies without specific limitations.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Nicknames were discouraged but inevitable.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If one team’s CNAPP operations will hinder another’s, neither benefits.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, his efforts to sell soybean-producing farmland could be hindered by the current trade climate that’s pushed soybean prices down.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the players strolled onto the field through an opening in center field, rapper Ice Cube, a huge Dodger fan, drove a vintage blue Chevy convertible containing the World Series trophy.
    Steve Futterman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The stories have gotten so prevalent that park management discourages people from exploring the park after dark in an attempt to dissuade ghost hunters from damaging the historic sites.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
  • These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the gargantuan task of playing a six-hour and 39-minute baseball game, it was almost expected that the Dodgers would be somewhat hampered, but the Toronto Blue Jays not only had the same circumstances, but handily won Game 4.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No need to curb your enthusiasm here because Tony Hawk did a pretty, pretty good job disguising himself as the legendary Larry David.
    Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The decision is part of a stricter policy approach of the Republican administration toward curbing migration and restricting refugee admissions.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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