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
• interferes (with)
• constrains
• delays
• hobbles
• cramps
• clogs
• thwarts
• ties up
• holds back
• trammels
• shackles
• frustrates
• stifles
• fetters
• binds
• hog-ties
• handcuffs
• curbs
• ties
• gives a hard time
• retains
• cramps one's style
• retards
• manacles
• reins
• holds up
• balks
• brakes
• strangles
• chains
• sabotages
• tethers
• represses
• checks
• chokes
• suppresses
• derails
• baffles
• 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

This inhibits collective action because each country, offered selective relief in some cases, has reason to cut its own deal rather than hold the line with the others. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

All the existing independent research on AI and the brain suggests that AI use inhibits our ability to learn . — Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Neem oil naturally inhibits fungal spores from spreading or penetrating plant leaves. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026

This variation may occur because citric acid inhibits bubble coalescence, similar to the additives in Diet Coke. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026

Such dominance makes the league less attractive and, in turn, arguably inhibits international growth. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The worry of losing health benefits inhibits the ability for people, especially those with more health problems or complex conditions, to switch jobs or careers. — Bob Herman, STAT, 22 July 2026

In response, a coalition of nine environmental groups and two Native American tribes filed lawsuits saying that the move violates the ESA’s statutory language and inhibits its fundamental goals. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 July 2026

Copper foil tape, which inhibits their movements by reacting with their mucous and giving an electric shock, can be wrapped around garden bed frames, says Khan. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 June 2026