Synonyms of inhibiting

inhibiting

verb

present participle of inhibit

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

• impeding
• hampering
• hindering
• obstructing
• embarrassing
• blocking
• handicapping
• delaying
• disrupting
• stymieing
• restraining
• clogging
• interfering (with)
• constraining
• cramping
• encumbering
• fettering
• handcuffing
• shackling
• tying up
• hobbling
• short-circuiting
• thwarting
• holding back
• curbing
• retarding
• tying
• hog-tying
• manacling
• stifling
• binding
• trammeling
• retaining
• frustrating
• reining
• checking
• cramping one's style
• giving a hard time
• arresting
• braking
• balking
• holding up
• strangling
• tethering
• sabotaging
• blockading
• barricading
• choking
• leashing
• confining
• chaining
• repressing
• derailing
• suppressing
• baffling
• bogging (down)
• smothering
• roadblocking
• foiling
• haltering
• suffocating
• muzzling
• miring
• stumping
• hedging (in)
• hemming (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• facilitating
• helping
• assisting
• aiding
• opening
• clearing
• freeing
• releasing
• liberating
• promoting
• loosening
• encouraging
• smoothing
• unplugging
• unclogging
• furthering
• unstopping
• making way
• untying

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

• controlling
• regulating
• curbing
• containing
• keeping
• restraining
• suppressing
• stifling
• measuring
• constraining
• governing
• taming
• holding
• checking
• stopping
• ruling
• interrupting
• pulling in
• bridling
• repressing
• impeding
• hindering
• swallowing
• blocking
• hampering
• reining (in)
• obstructing
• strangling
• arresting
• smothering
• silencing
• choking (back)
• holding back
• squelching
• muffling
• bottling (up)
• sinking
• mincing
• pocketing
• handcuffing
• muzzling
• gagging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing
• loosening
• liberating
• expressing
• unleashing
• venting
• taking out
• loosing
• airing

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

• dissuading
• discouraging
• deterring
• diverting
• repelling
• unselling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encouraging
• persuading
• urging
• inducing
• exhorting
• prodding
• prompting
• goading
• impelling
• egging (on)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inhibiting

OpenAI has faced scrutiny over concerns that ChatGPT risks exposing young people to inappropriate content, exacerbating loneliness or inhibiting learning. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Azelaic acid helps reduce inflammation by targeting several inflammatory pathways in the skin, while helping fade pigmentation by inhibiting the pigment-forming enzyme tyrosinase. — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026

Silica particles cause lungs to fight back with fibrotic tissue that builds and builds, severely inhibiting the ability to breathe. — Howard Berkes, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

The presence of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), whose Hulk-inhibiting device provides Peter with inspiration for a way to tackle his own issues, mostly serves to remind audiences that the character is still in the mix. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Enlicitide works by inhibiting PCSK9, a protein produced by the liver that slows the body’s ability to flush out cholesterol. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

And while the thought of tiny bugs inhibiting our eyelashes sounds rather frightening, the reality is far less startling. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Neuropeptides Neuropeptides, short for neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides, are the neurocosmetics with the most scientific backing to anchor their efficacy. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Combine one part of vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle for a DIY solution, or use a commercial mold-inhibiting cleaner. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 June 2026