INHIBIT Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'inhibit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inhibit are forbid , interdict , and prohibit . While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation. // conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

Q: When is 'forbid' a more appropriate choice than 'inhibit'?

The words forbid and inhibit can be used in similar contexts, but forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected. // smoking is forbidden in the building

Q: When is it sensible to use 'interdict' instead of 'inhibit'?

While in some cases nearly identical to inhibit , interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose. // practices interdicted by the church

Q: When might 'prohibit' be a better fit than 'inhibit'?

The synonyms prohibit and inhibit are sometimes interchangeable, but prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations. // prohibited the sale of liquor

inhibit

verb

in-ˈhi-bət

Definition of inhibit

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to regulate

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discourage

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inhibit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inhibit are forbid, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

When is forbid a more appropriate choice than inhibit?

The words forbid and inhibit can be used in similar contexts, but forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

When is it sensible to use interdict instead of inhibit?

While in some cases nearly identical to inhibit, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

When might prohibit be a better fit than inhibit?

The synonyms prohibit and inhibit are sometimes interchangeable, but prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

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 inhibit Azelaic acid helps reduce inflammation by targeting several inflammatory pathways in the skin, while helping fade pigmentation by inhibiting the pigment-forming enzyme tyrosinase. — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 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 Some Align probiotics contain Bifidobacterium animalis, a probiotic shown to inhibit pathogens. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inhibit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inhibit

Verb

Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

This altruistic philosophy, however, doesn't discourage Obeid from partnering with, or promoting trendy food businesses.

— Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Moving these forces back from the likely front would keep its options open and discourage risk-taking by eastern NATO members.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.

— Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

The filing says a witness reported seeing a gray GMC Denali towing a box trailer containing people, including children.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Hugging Face’s, meanwhile, is a few pages shorter but contains specific lines of code and evidence from its systems about what happened.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Following one incident with the actor, he was charged with seven felony counts, including assault, injuring a girlfriend and dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
The focus will be on advanced heat management and battery performance, given temperatures exceeding 40°C can cut battery range by as much as 22%, dissuading potential buyers who frequently navigate long desert routes.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissuade

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

Former President Jimmy Carter in 1977 proposed a legislative plan to curb rising hospital costs.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Flock last week set out a new set of guardrails intended to curb abuse of its system, including advocating for a seven-day data retention policy for its customers.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of curb

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“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inhibit. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inhibit

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Synonyms of inhibit

verb

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