inhibit

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ formal

Say it: in-HIB-it

1. verb To restrain, hinder, or hold back an action, impulse, or process.
Fear of failure can inhibit people from taking creative risks.
2. verb To slow down or prevent a biological or chemical process.
This drug is designed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
3. verb To make someone self-conscious and unable to act in a natural or relaxed way.
He felt too inhibited by the presence of his boss to speak freely.

📖 Seen in the wild

Fear of failure can often inhibit creativity and risk-taking.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ inhibit in a sentence

The new sanctions are designed to inhibit the country's access to military technology.
A lack of clear direction from management can inhibit a team's progress.
Certain soil conditions can inhibit nutrient uptake by plants.
His strict upbringing inhibited any outward display of strong emotion.
She was a talented singer but was too inhibited to perform in public.
The presence of a strong magnetic field can inhibit the proper functioning of electronic devices.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

hinder restrain curb suppress impede hamper stifle constrain

hinder · implies creating obstacles or difficulties that slow something down.

restrain · suggests the use of force or strong control to hold something back.

curb · implies checking or controlling something that is powerful or excessive.

suppress · often implies a conscious effort to put a complete end to something, like a feeling or a rebellion.

Opposites: encourage, allow, promote, facilitate, catalyze

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'inhibit' comes directly from the Latin 'inhibere', meaning 'to hold in' or 'restrain'. It's a combination of 'in-', meaning 'in' or 'on', and 'habere', meaning 'to have' or 'to hold'. The meaning has remained remarkably stable over centuries, consistently referring to the act of holding something back, whether a physical object, a personal feeling, or a chemical reaction.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

inhibit growthinhibit the development ofinhibit an enzymefeel inhibitedinhibit the production of

'Inhibit' is a formal word best suited for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. It describes a restraining or hindering force that is often internal, like shyness, or impersonal, like a chemical reaction. A common point of confusion is with 'prohibit', which means to forbid by law or rule. You inhibit an impulse, but you prohibit an activity.

Word family: inhibition, inhibitor, inhibitory, inhibited

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to inhibit something?

To inhibit something means to restrain, hinder, or prevent it. This can apply to actions, feelings, personal expression, or biological and chemical processes.

What's the difference between 'inhibit' and 'prohibit'?

Inhibit means to slow down or restrain something, often through internal or indirect means. Prohibit means to formally forbid something with a rule or law. You inhibit a feeling, but you prohibit an action.

What does it mean to feel inhibited?

To feel inhibited means you feel self-conscious, awkward, or unable to act in a relaxed and natural way. Shyness or fear of judgment can cause someone to feel inhibited.

Is 'inhibit' a formal word?

Yes, 'inhibit' is generally considered a formal word. In casual conversation, people are more likely to use phrases like 'hold back' or 'get in the way of'.

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