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
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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
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Recent Examples of inhibition
Anxiety, inhibition and negative feedback from others can significantly slow progress, regardless of age.
—
Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
That’s when the two law enforcement officers drink and dance up a storm, and the tune of a slow country song strips away their inhibitions.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The inhibition system is triggered by the possibility of punishment.
—Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In a race to find out who caused this marital mayhem, emotions will be high, inhibitions will be low, and everyone will have access to an open bar.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
That’s when the two law enforcement officers drink and dance up a storm, and the tune of a slow country song strips away their inhibitions.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
The inhibition system is triggered by the possibility of punishment.
—Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In a race to find out who caused this marital mayhem, emotions will be high, inhibitions will be low, and everyone will have access to an open bar.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibition
Noun
-
The department is currently investigating more than two dozen facilities and says, while most providers recognize the need for regulation, some don't think the laws around restraint and seclusion should apply to them.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The volunteer, named Jacki and played with warm restraint by Tessa Thompson, has been slowly developing a friendship with Yarris, a mercurial but undeniably charismatic character played by Adrien Brody, your go-to actor for any slight man with a loping, unsteady energy.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the end, the deepest release isn’t about getting a medical tag, but rather about understanding why those unrelenting obstacles continued to exist.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
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Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fellows dealt with disciplines ranging from social work, nursing and public health, geography, architecture, performance studies, and art.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Mule discipline, which has been drawing particular attention, involves robotic systems transporting equipment and supplies.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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Then, for Artemis IV, there are even greater hurdles.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The political controversy Thursday coincided with a day of repression in Caracas.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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The choice Iran faces If Iran’s leadership uses this moment only to consolidate power, intensify repression, and sell military endurance as victory, the ceasefire will merely delay the next internal and external crisis.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Time,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to Harvard Health, rarer but more serious side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis; gastroparesis, or the slowing or stopping of movement of food through the stomach; bowel obstruction or blockage; and gallstone attacks or bile duct blockages.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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In March 2024, authorities arrested 32-year-old Lashawn Washington and charged her with first-degree felony murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The five courses are available online for free and are prerequisites to obtaining a Firefighter Type II certificate, which is given to entry-level wildland firefighters who are responsible for fire suppression, fuels management and mop-up operations.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
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But the ancient Greeks may have had a point with their suppression of technē after all.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The nonprofit Bike New York offers free instruction and groups everyone by age to avoid embarrassment.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
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When appealing to a congressional answering machine fails, perhaps public embarrassment is the most effective lever to pull.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inhibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibition. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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