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

Energizer Ultimate Child Shield eliminates the risk of burning by utilizing titanium, which inhibits the chemical reaction that makes these shiny buttons so dangerous. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Some seeds are covered in a very hard seed coat that inhibits germination by blocking water from getting through. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Additionally, the metal has a non reactive layer of chromium oxide that further inhibits the strong chemical bond necessary for an actual seasoning to develop. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake, the EPA said. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026

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