Deter and Inhibit

Deter

Deter verb - To steer (a person) from an activity or course of action.
Usage example: we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail

Inhibit is a synonym for deter in obstruct topic. In some cases you can use "Inhibit" instead a verb "Deter", when it comes to topics like delay, restrain, prevent, discourage. popular alternative

Inhibit

Inhibit verb - To steer (a person) from an activity or course of action.
Usage example: a fundamental sense of propriety should have inhibited you from making a drunken spectacle of yourself

Deter is a synonym for inhibit in delay topic. You can use "Deter" instead a verb "Inhibit", if it concerns topics such as restrain. popular alternative

Common collocations

amount deter amount inhibit amount
plans deter plans inhibit plans
Cite this Source
Inhibit and Deter. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/deter/inhibit
Deter & Inhibit. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/deter/inhibit>.
Inhibit or Deter. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/deter/inhibit.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "deter" and "inhibit" have occurred on timeline