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

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

Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said that European countries are more focused on addressing specific strategic segments and Chinese industrial policies than broadly inhibiting Chinese imports. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 30 July 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

What's inside the box isn't inhibiting me. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026