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

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

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