Definition of inhibit
transitive verb
1 : to prohibit from doing something
2a : to hold in check : restrainb : to discourage from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints
intransitive verb
: to cause inhibition
From the M-W Editors
Examples of inhibit in a Sentence
You shouldn't allow fear of failure to inhibit you.
He was inhibited by modesty.
Fear can inhibit people from expressing their opinions.
drugs that are used to inhibit infection
Strict laws are inhibiting economic growth.
Recent Examples of inhibit from the Web
-
That will actually inhibit some countries—particularly newly emerging economies—from being able to invest in some of the technologies that would bring their emissions down.
-
Opioid overdoses usually kill people by inhibiting respiration: breathing slows and starts to sound labored, then stops altogether.
-
Officials said the training wasn't cumbersome but paperwork for it was inhibiting outreach workers' ability to get naloxone in the hands of more residents.
-
But proponents of inspections say the powers landlords hold over many low- and middle-income tenants inhibits many from complaining of unsafe conditions for fear of eviction.
-
These nerve poisons can inhibit an enzyme called cholinesterase, which breaks down a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
-
This should not inhibit us in striving to understand the purpose of life, and so on.
-
Store owners reported that food scarcities have become even more acute in recent days because blockades by protesters of many highways in Venezuela are inhibiting distribution of scare food and household items.
-
Data portraits encapsulate each person’s history and reputation within a community, and thus encourage people to take responsibility for their words, inhibiting bad behavior.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inhibit'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of inhibit
Middle English, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre, from in- 2in- + habēre to have — more at habit
Synonym Discussion of inhibit
INHIBIT Defined for English Language Learners
inhibit
playDefinition of inhibit for English Language Learners
-
: to keep (someone) from doing what he or she wants to do
-
: to prevent or slow down the activity or occurrence of (something)
INHIBIT Defined for Kids
inhibit
playDefinition of inhibit for Students
inhibited
;inhibiting
: to prevent or hold back from doing something Shyness inhibited her in making new friends.
Medical Dictionary
inhibit
playMedical Definition of inhibit
1a: to restrain from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints an inhibited personb: to check or restrain the force or vitality of inhibit aggressive tendencies
2a: to reduce or suppress the activity of a presynaptic neuron can not only excite a postsynaptic neuron but can also inhibit it—H. W. Kendlerb: to retard or prevent the formation ofc: to retard, interfere with, or prevent (a process or reaction) inhibit ovulation
Learn More about inhibit
-
See words that rhyme with inhibit Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inhibit Spanish Central: Translation of inhibit Nglish: Translation of inhibit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inhibit for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up inhibit? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!