inhibit

[in-hib-it] / ɪnˈhɪb ɪt /

VERB

restrict, prevent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrain curb discourage forbid hinder impede obstruct outlaw prohibit restrain stymie suppress

STRONG

arrest avert bar bit bridle check cramp enjoin faze frustrate hog-tie interdict repress sandbag stop taboo ward withhold

WEAK

hang up hold back hold down hold in keep in put on brakes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go permit promote push release support

WEAK

approve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At present, no approved drugs directly inhibit these three proteins.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

"This is a third genome that evolved a distinct peptide to inhibit the same target in a similar way," Clemons says.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2026

A second study, led by former Kang lab graduate student Mark Esposito and published in the journal iScience, focused on designing drugs that inhibit retinoic acid production and disable retinoid signaling altogether.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

"Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, we can either excite or inhibit neurons in the spinal cord," he said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

The remaining four proposed factors—war, centralized government, climate, and resource abundance—appear to act inconsistently: sometimes they stimulate technology, sometimes they inhibit it.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing inhibit

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30 GRE Words Beginning with "I"

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 3

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