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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Some players appeared inhibited, none more so than winger Leon Bailey.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 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
Major Garrett, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Yet Watkins does appear a striker inhibited, whether that is to do with the knee issue or not.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 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
Interestingly, one study found that bamboo compounds inhibited the formation of furan and reduced the formation of acrylamide – the toxic chemicals produced through frying or roasting some foods.
—New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2026
In addition, there was no soap at the handwashing sink and the inspector discussed with management the fact that cooked taco meat, chicken wings and grinder meat were all being cooled in large plastic tubs, which inhibited their ability to cool rapidly once placed in the cooler.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
This tension has inhibited his ability to flip disaffected elites against the regime.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 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
Adjective
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
Some players appeared inhibited, none more so than winger Leon Bailey.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 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
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
Yet Watkins does appear a striker inhibited, whether that is to do with the knee issue or not.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 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
Interestingly, one study found that bamboo compounds inhibited the formation of furan and reduced the formation of acrylamide – the toxic chemicals produced through frying or roasting some foods.
—New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2026
In addition, there was no soap at the handwashing sink and the inspector discussed with management the fact that cooked taco meat, chicken wings and grinder meat were all being cooled in large plastic tubs, which inhibited their ability to cool rapidly once placed in the cooler.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
This tension has inhibited his ability to flip disaffected elites against the regime.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibited
Adjective
-
Even within a restrained palette, a strong silhouette can shift the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Ashe is a rocket ship that can’t be reined in, and watching the restrained, comparably rational Coop try to lasso him is reliably entertaining.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vertical living green walls comprised of live plants are a natural energy-saving method for improving indoor air quality and enhancing interior design, but they're hampered by inconsistent performance.—
Shirl Leigh
April 03,
New Atlas,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even if companies wanted to spend irresponsible amounts of money on AI compute, they’ve been hampered by supply chain constraints.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The board was controlled by Evers appointees when Rothman was hired.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The painting was purchased at auction from Christie’s by International Art Center, a holding company controlled by Nahmad, in 1996 and placed in storage in Switzerland.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She wasn’t dissuaded two years later — and mid-renovation — when a $475 million Target distribution center was announced for the small city, creating an industrial foothold in a mostly agrarian area.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Trump could have dissuaded the Israelis once again.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s because players generally tend to be neutral on or supportive of their GMs, if not completely aloof.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Chows are depicted on Chinese pottery dating to the Han dynasty; some lore maintains that this aloof, moody breed evolved in the shadow of the North Pole.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At other events, RAM's compassion is impeded by red tape.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Beyond the Cal/OSHA investigation, which has not previously been detailed publicly, attorneys for the state allege the Sheriff’s Department has impeded the workplace safety inquiry and refused to hand over vital documents, according to court filings in an ongoing dispute between the two agencies.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Forensic drug reports showed that about 98% of medetomidine-positive samples also contained fentanyl.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The vessel was missing but was later contained.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As homeownership continues to shift further out of reach, people are discouraged from saving enough for a down payment, the authors warned.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Her childhood cultural traditions often discouraged marking the body.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inhibited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibited. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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