Synonyms of inhibits

inhibits

verb

present tense third-person singular of inhibit

1

as in impedes

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impedes
• hinders
• hampers
• obstructs
• embarrasses
• stymies
• short-circuits
• blocks
• disrupts
• handicaps
• restrains
• encumbers
• constrains
• interferes (with)
• delays
• hobbles
• cramps
• thwarts
• clogs
• ties up
• holds back
• frustrates
• trammels
• stifles
• shackles
• fetters
• binds
• hog-ties
• handcuffs
• curbs
• ties
• gives a hard time
• retains
• cramps one's style
• retards
• manacles
• reins
• holds up
• balks
• strangles
• brakes
• sabotages
• chains
• tethers
• represses
• checks
• chokes
• baffles
• suppresses
• derails
• arrests
• smothers
• suffocates
• bogs (down)
• roadblocks
• confines
• blockades
• barricades
• leashes
• foils
• halters
• mires
• stumps
• muzzles
• hedges (in)
• hems (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• facilitates
• helps
• aids
• assists
• opens
• clears
• liberates
• frees
• promotes
• releases
• encourages
• unties
• loosens
• smooths
• unplugs
• unclogs
• furthers
• makes way
• unstops

2

as in regulates

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

• regulates
• contains
• curbs
• restrains
• controls
• keeps
• suppresses
• stifles
• governs
• constrains
• tames
• measures
• holds
• reins (in)
• rules
• checks
• stops
• impedes
• represses
• hinders
• pulls in
• interrupts
• obstructs
• bridles
• smothers
• swallows
• strangles
• muffles
• hampers
• chokes (back)
• blocks
• squelches
• holds back
• bottles (up)
• silences
• arrests
• pockets
• minces
• sinks
• handcuffs
• muzzles
• gags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses
• liberates
• loosens
• expresses
• unleashes
• looses
• takes out
• airs
• vents

3

as in discourages

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

• discourages
• dissuades
• deters
• diverts
• repels
• unsells

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encourages
• persuades
• eggs (on)
• urges
• induces
• exhorts
• prompts
• impels
• prods
• goads

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inhibits

In June, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York blamed 64% of the recent spike in unemployment among college graduates on the rise of remote work, which inhibits training and soft-skill development. — Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026

Being on high alert to help meet someone else’s needs inhibits my ability to relax and enjoy myself. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

In a 2021 study, the company demonstrated that its neutralizing antibody can suppress a protein, dubbed USAG-1, which inhibits the growth of tooth buds. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026

Frequent passes over the same path lead to soil compaction, which inhibits turf growth due to the roots not being able to freely access water and nutrients. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026

Too much soil disturbance inhibits the growth and maturity of fruit trees, specifically apple or cherry trees, says Roethling. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026

Or the kite maker might have attached the string in a way that inhibits the kite’s ability to catch air pressure and rise. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026

In explaining its move, the regulator acknowledged a long-standing complaint from researchers who have argued that without access to specific data, trial results cannot be easily duplicated, which inhibits greater understanding of how medicines might work. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 Apr. 2026

Strong El Niños often result in stronger wind shear over the Atlantic Basin in summer, which inhibits storm formation. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026