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
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
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
-
Grace had given us this restrained performance.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
-
High ceilings, expansive windows, and a restrained neutral palette creates an atmosphere that feels instantly and effortlessly calm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His ability to hold runners has hampered him.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Jospin never embraced his role as a public figure, hampered by a restrained personality that grew even stiffer in front of cameras.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel, meanwhile, saw Nasser’s rising influence across the Arab world as a danger, and wanted an excuse to cut him down, and to target Palestinian fedayeen militants who were operating in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, which were both controlled by Egypt at the time.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of pushing from a single point, assistance is distributed through the stride, making movement feel more stable and controlled.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 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
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Industry leaders also say the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route now being impeded by the war, must reopen by mid-April or supply disruptions could worsen significantly.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Patriarchate said that the decision impeded freedom of worship and the status quo in Jerusalem.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The indoor sports arena idea comes shortly after the commissioners reviewed a tourism master plan that contained ideas for how to increase the county’s visibility as an attractive destination.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
At the time, Schuette was found with a smartphone that contained more than 1,200 images of child pornography.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There is a reasonable argument to be made that nostalgia, particularly current decisions informed by nostalgia, are by their nature regressive and should be discouraged.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
John says his late mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, would’ve never approved of their relationship and Carolyn reveals her mom, Ann Messina Freeman, discouraged their union during their wedding weekend.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inhibited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibited. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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