Yet education is the only factor that can inhibit prejudice, be it between ethnicities or genders.
Source: tatoeba (1343241)
Inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
Synonyms for "inhibit" (191 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (39)
Strong matches (57)
Related words (95)
interfere withintermeddleinterruptintervenekeepkeep backkeep fromkeep inkeep in checkkeep in custodykeep in detentionkeep underkeep under controllay under restraintlimitlock inmaintainmanaclemeddlemew
Show 55 more words
mew upobstructopposeoutlawpenpen uppersistpoundprecludepreservepreventprohibitproscribepullpull inrailrail inrefrainrefusereinrein inrejectrepressresistrestrainrestrictretainretardretrenchrule outsavesave upsay no toscotchseal upset backshackleshut inshut outshut upsilenceslackenslow downsmothersnubstiflestopstraitenstultifysublimatesuppresstaboowall inwardwithhold
Verb(13 words)
Noun(5 words)
Adjective(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: suppress, arrest, avert, ban, bar.
- Sentence evidence is available for inhibit, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "inhibit".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "inhibit"
Keep "inhibit" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "inhibit" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "inhibit", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "inhibit" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
18 entriesShowing 16 of 18 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
5 entriesinhibit behaviorinhibit curiosityinhibit growthinhibit learninginhibit movement
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesSample sentences
9 total sentences available.
He noticed that this drug seemed to inhibit bacterial growth.
Source: tatoeba (3581875)
Ocean waters are becoming warmer and more acidic, broadly affecting ocean circulation, chemistry, ecosystems, and marine life. More acidic waters inhibit the formation of shells, skeletons, and coral reefs.
Source: tatoeba (3651155)
Cryptocurrency transactions require significant amounts of electricity, which will inhibit their utilization and scalability in the long term.
Source: tatoeba (9966118)
Showing 4 of 9 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "inhibit"?
Closest matches include suppress, arrest, avert, ban, bar.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "inhibit"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.