as in restrained
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1
as in hampered
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning
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2
as in controlled
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations
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3
as in dissuaded
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
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Recent Examples of inhibited
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This really is a time to be less inhibited about going out.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 May 2026
School is the crucible where raw vitality encounters the collective will to impose order and control but also to bring cultural richness to lives that might otherwise remain inhibited and crude.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Her last and only boyfriend, Tim, would have been too inhibited.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Participants who appeared engaged, responsive, and comfortable in the interaction, maintaining eye contact and seeming open rather than inhibited, were far more likely to be liked.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Callie hangs out with her more inhibited best friend, Minnie Dunn, played spectacularly well by Katherine Mallen Kupferer.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
There are students who feel inhibited from expressing their Jewish or Zionist identity because of the atmosphere of the atmosphere of intimidation or harassment on college campuses.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Nini and Lali seemed happier without him—more relaxed, less inhibited.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2026
Curiosity itself is not disappearing, but it can be inhibited by several factors including things like fear, assumptions, technology, and interactions in workplace environments.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Hurricane formation can be inhibited by strong wind shear over the Atlantic, stirred by the pattern of warmer-than-normal waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
So contaminated was the air that water droplets could cling to pollutants, slowing evaporation; the resulting scrim of moisture inhibited vertical air movement, trapping more pollution in turn.
—Scott W. Stern, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2026
Replays showed Gaudreau slashed Wallstedt’s glove and inhibited his ability to make the save.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
How will that be taken care of and how will the ships that are there, that are not moving, start to move and be moving with a degree of confidence that they will not be inhibited by what remains of the Iranian either boats or gun emplacements along that strait?
—Major Garrett, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
This film explores the many ways that art can be destroyed or inhibited, including a NATO practice base making too much noise, the destruction of sets, and personal injury.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Even with the partial shutdown of several gates during construction that inhibited Southwest Airlines’ long-term expansion plans here, air travel was robust enough last year to compensate for that.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Both players were so inhibited for the final game of the set that the level of play resembled something from a local park.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This really is a time to be less inhibited about going out.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 May 2026
School is the crucible where raw vitality encounters the collective will to impose order and control but also to bring cultural richness to lives that might otherwise remain inhibited and crude.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Her last and only boyfriend, Tim, would have been too inhibited.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Participants who appeared engaged, responsive, and comfortable in the interaction, maintaining eye contact and seeming open rather than inhibited, were far more likely to be liked.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Callie hangs out with her more inhibited best friend, Minnie Dunn, played spectacularly well by Katherine Mallen Kupferer.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
There are students who feel inhibited from expressing their Jewish or Zionist identity because of the atmosphere of the atmosphere of intimidation or harassment on college campuses.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Nini and Lali seemed happier without him—more relaxed, less inhibited.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
So, that has sometimes inhibited our ability to respond to [news].
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2026
Curiosity itself is not disappearing, but it can be inhibited by several factors including things like fear, assumptions, technology, and interactions in workplace environments.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Hurricane formation can be inhibited by strong wind shear over the Atlantic, stirred by the pattern of warmer-than-normal waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
So contaminated was the air that water droplets could cling to pollutants, slowing evaporation; the resulting scrim of moisture inhibited vertical air movement, trapping more pollution in turn.
—Scott W. Stern, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2026
Replays showed Gaudreau slashed Wallstedt’s glove and inhibited his ability to make the save.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
How will that be taken care of and how will the ships that are there, that are not moving, start to move and be moving with a degree of confidence that they will not be inhibited by what remains of the Iranian either boats or gun emplacements along that strait?
—Major Garrett, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
This film explores the many ways that art can be destroyed or inhibited, including a NATO practice base making too much noise, the destruction of sets, and personal injury.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Even with the partial shutdown of several gates during construction that inhibited Southwest Airlines’ long-term expansion plans here, air travel was robust enough last year to compensate for that.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibited
Adjective
-
Elinor Dashwood is the epitome of Sense—self-contained, controlled, restrained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
When a court issues a domestic violence protective order, federal law prohibits the restrained person from possessing a gun.—
Sativa Banks,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
In roughly half of the cases, dead foundation species hampered the ability of their living counterparts to reestablish, grow and survive after extreme events.—
John Kominoski,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
-
Trump has often alleged rampant voter fraud that has hampered Republicans’ success, and his base has largely accepted these sentiments to be true, despite no evidence backing up his accusations.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
New Zealand has controlled possession for 52% of the game, and both teams have completed more than 80% of their passes.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
Uruguay controlled most of the second half but didn't break through until Araújo fired a rebound past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais from close range.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Potential suitors will not be dissuaded from coming in for him this summer, however.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Perhaps a police report search as to any candidate filing for the House or Senate should be made part of their filing, any expense credited toward their filing fee, so that those with criminal history may be dissuaded.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cats are infamous for being aloof creatures.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
-
The design is still in progress, and while NJ Transit has joined Amtrak in shaping the latest proposal, the MTA remains sulkily aloof.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
They were said to have impeded its free movement, scratching and otherwise damaging the body work.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
Trump advisers have said the South Korea trade deal will remain impeded until there’s a resolution over the Coupang issue.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The fire was 60% contained as of Thursday morning, according to Cal Fire.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
There was only brief debate — and none of it contained support for women pastors.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Not discouraged by the previous drop, Young then went back to Legette, who made a difficult catch while falling to the ground.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Iran’s hold over the critical Middle Eastern passageway has discouraged activity in the area, triggering a sweeping blockage of oil tankers and a global energy emergency.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inhibited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibited. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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