1
as in impeding
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dissuading
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
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 inhibiting
Caffeine wakes you up by inhibiting the ability of the natural sleep chemical adenosine from binding to its receptors.
—
Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
High levels of salt, sugar, or acid act as preservatives, inhibiting bacterial growth.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Iran was influential but not instrumental in inhibiting peace, said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a top Middle East peace negotiator in Republican and Democratic administrations.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
Warren praises this skincare for increasing cellular turnover, inhibiting pigment production and fighting acne.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflammation May Decrease Blackberries contain compounds that protect cells by decreasing free radicals and inhibiting inflammation.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Scientists had long known that depriving mice of vitamin A caused infertility; the challenge was finding a safe, targeted way of inhibiting it.
—Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
This suggests that these trees have evolved a unique defense strategy where chemical compounds are mobilized to seal wounds, while also inhibiting the invasion of pathogens or herbivores.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Of that group, five were determined capable of inhibiting Mpro, and two, named 1a and 5a, were seen as particularly potent.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2026
High levels of salt, sugar, or acid act as preservatives, inhibiting bacterial growth.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Iran was influential but not instrumental in inhibiting peace, said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a top Middle East peace negotiator in Republican and Democratic administrations.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
Warren praises this skincare for increasing cellular turnover, inhibiting pigment production and fighting acne.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 27 Feb. 2026
Inflammation May Decrease Blackberries contain compounds that protect cells by decreasing free radicals and inhibiting inflammation.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Scientists had long known that depriving mice of vitamin A caused infertility; the challenge was finding a safe, targeted way of inhibiting it.
—Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
This suggests that these trees have evolved a unique defense strategy where chemical compounds are mobilized to seal wounds, while also inhibiting the invasion of pathogens or herbivores.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Of that group, five were determined capable of inhibiting Mpro, and two, named 1a and 5a, were seen as particularly potent.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibiting
Verb
-
Japan’s aging population is a long-running issue, impeding economic growth and putting immense pressure on the public coffers.—
Junko Ogura,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly six years ago James’s Lupa Systems investment company became the controlling owner of Art Basel through the acquisition of stakes in MCH Group, the fair brand’s parent company.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Indonesia’s richest man, Michael Bambang Hartono, who helped turn the Djarum cigarette company into one of the country’s largest business empires and later became a controlling shareholder of Bank Central Asia, Indonesia’s biggest private lender, died Thursday.—
Niniek Karmini,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the report said those efforts would have limited effects in dissuading someone who has a gambling addiction.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Trump, just as the vote was wrapping up, issued a primary threat against those who opposed his tariff regime — potentially dissuading some Republicans running in tight seats from backing Democrats’ tariff resolutions.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some lawmakers think the staff reductions are hampering farmers’ ability to access programs.—
Patricia Kime,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
A number of airlines have halted flights to Dubai, hampering travel and freight transport.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The facility received an exemption from environmental review, leaving residents without answers about health hazards as California lawmakers debate regulating AI data centers.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Two resolutions aimed at regulating how Immigration and Customs Enforcement works within Atlanta city limits have passed a key vote in the Atlanta City Council.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last spring, a letter was sent to Senators season ticket holders discouraging them from transferring their tickets to rival fans ahead of their first-round playoff series against the Maple Leafs.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
For supply siders, higher taxes are like kryptonite to an economy, discouraging businesses from investing and damping entrepreneurial activity.—
Robert Burgess,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, tariff threats from the US — Nigeria’s third-largest export market — and inflationary pressures caused by the war in Iran risk hindering that progress.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
High new housing inventory, together with elevated construction costs because of import tariffs and shortages of labor due to an immigration crackdown are hindering single-family home construction.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
André and Luiz Auersvald, the plastic surgeons who pioneered the net as a means of curbing their 14% hematoma rate.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that Tokyo was considering steps to cushion the economic blow from rising fuel costs, including curbing gasoline prices.—
Lim Hui Jie,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inhibiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibiting. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
