1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
without the inhibition of their jackets, the boys were able to wrestle more vigorously
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 inhibition
This also supports the idea that swearing can momentarily activate mental states that reduce inhibition and allow the body and mind to perform at a higher level.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lockwood’s lack of inhibition can lead to trouble.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Two fanbases found mutual ground, sympathetic to the other’s situation, with Newcastle previously unable to sign a senior player for three consecutive windows and Villa suffering similar inhibitions this summer.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
And, yes, Washington remains both capable and interested—Trump’s current inhibitions notwithstanding—in exploring such an arrangement.
—Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lockwood’s lack of inhibition can lead to trouble.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Two fanbases found mutual ground, sympathetic to the other’s situation, with Newcastle previously unable to sign a senior player for three consecutive windows and Villa suffering similar inhibitions this summer.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
And, yes, Washington remains both capable and interested—Trump’s current inhibitions notwithstanding—in exploring such an arrangement.
—Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibition
Noun
-
The civil suit alleged the restraint lasted eight minutes.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Per state guidelines and Ohio Administrative Code, physical restraint must be used as a last resort and only when there is an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Yet, their durability remained the key obstacle to commercial deployment.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
What resists smooth transmission isn’t an obstacle to communication, but part of its meaning and texture.—
Ross Benjamin,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Dames’ intention is to turn the headquarters into a creative hub and point of convergence of different disciplines, driven by collaborations.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Changing the Kremlin’s understanding of its prospects will require sustained pressure and discipline.—
Jack Watling,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Now that some Democrats have signaled new support for reopening the government, Congress has to clear a number of procedural hurdles.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Lawmakers must still approve the final version of the continuing resolution and spending package, a process that could take several more days if all 100 senators don’t agree to waive procedural hurdles.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These syndicates are part of the same criminal economy that funds military airstrikes and repression.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There are other signs that Iran’s previously relentless social repression is beginning to relax.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The charges included conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Look for the nearest tree, fence, building, car, or other obstruction to duck behind.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Researchers noted that men often rely on emotional suppression, while women tend to be more emotionally expressive but can become overwhelmed when caregiving demands are constant.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
God-fearing Florentines initially banned Arabic numerals, but suppression rarely works, particularly if a new technology is capturing people’s imaginations.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Remember his embarrassment after winning the 2016 presidential election but losing the national popular vote?—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years now, Fuentes has been both an embarrassment to the right and an indicator of what’s brewing in the id of conservatism.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inhibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibition. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share