Novel oligonucleotides having immune inhibitory effects, and methods for their use, are provided. The inhibitory oligonucleotides include those that specifically inhibit certain Toll-like receptors, including TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Certain of the immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides inhibit a combination of TLRs selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Inhibitors of TLR9 are characterized by a 5' CC dinucleotide appropriately spaced upstream of a G-rich oligomer. Inhibitors of TLR8 include specific simple dinucleotides and oligonucleotides ending at their 3' termini with the specific dinucleotides. TLR7 inhibitors include oligonucleotides having a phosphorothioate backbone. Also provided are combinations and conjugates involving the inhibitory oligonucleotides of the invention and other agents, where the other agents include TLR agonists and antigens. Compositions of the invention can be used to shape an immune response, reduce unwanted specific TLR-mediated immunostimulation, and to treat conditions including allergy, asthma, infection, and cancer.