What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suppressant
Example
The cough suppressant helped alleviate her symptoms. [suppressant: noun]
Example
He took a suppressant to control his allergies. [suppressant: adjective]
Example
The government used a suppressant to control the spread of the virus. [suppressant: noun]
inhibitor
Example
The enzyme inhibitor prevented the formation of harmful compounds. [inhibitor: noun]
Example
The drug acted as an inhibitor, blocking the growth of cancer cells. [inhibitor: adjective]
Example
The inhibitor reduced the activity of the protein, preventing further damage. [inhibitor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suppressant is more commonly used than inhibitor in everyday language, especially in medical contexts. Suppressant is a versatile word that covers a wide range of symptoms and conditions, while inhibitor is more specific and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suppressant and inhibitor?
Both suppressant and inhibitor are formal words that are commonly used in medical or scientific contexts. However, inhibitor may be considered more technical and specialized than suppressant, which has broader usage in everyday language.
