inhibit

verb in·hib·it \ in-ˈhi-bət \

Definition of inhibit

transitive verb

1 :to prohibit from doing something

2 a :to hold in check :restrain

b :to discourage from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints

intransitive verb

:to cause inhibition

—

inhibitive

play \in-ˈhi-bə-tiv\ adjective

—

inhibitory

play \in-ˈhi-bə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See inhibit defined for English-language learners

See inhibit defined for kids

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

Cyst-like breakouts actually damage healthy tissue, so picking only exacerbates the skin and inhibits its self-healing abilities.

— tina ferraro, Teen Vogue, "What Cystic Acne Is, and How to Treat It," 22 Aug. 2017
Models of consciousness traditionally tend to distinguish between certain broad categories of neurons such as those exciting a response and those inhibiting a response.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New kinds of brain cells discovered by Salk, UCSD scientists," 10 Aug. 2017
The chemicals work by inhibiting the body’s response to adrenaline, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attack.

— daniel mcginn, The Atlantic, "Can This Drug Cure Performance Anxiety?," 4 Aug. 2017
And since streetcar expansion south on Main Street would require the city’s participation, voter approval of Question 1 could inhibit that project.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Voters approve new taxing district for Kansas City streetcar expansion," 4 Aug. 2017
Clinical trials in the ensuing decades showed that dosing men with testosterone or combinations of testosterone and progestin temporarily inhibited sperm production, but that the strategy had drawbacks.

— emily anthes, Bloomberg.com, "Why We Can’t Have the Male Pill," 3 Aug. 2017
Two bipartisan pairs—Thom Tillis and Chris Coons, along with Lindsey Graham and Cory Booker—have begun drafting bills that would inhibit President Trump's ability to get rid of Mueller in unjustified circumstances.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Two Words That Should Scare the Trump Administration: Grand Jury," 3 Aug. 2017
The bristles of this manual brush are treated with silver, which inhibits bacterial growth.

— joanne chen, Redbook, "Teeth: An Owner's Manual," 24 July 2017
Satellite imagery also reveals a plume of dust which inhibited Don’s growth.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Tropical storm Don bites the dust in Atlantic. It’s not yet Hilary’s time in the Pacific.," 19 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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inhibit Synonyms

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, hamper, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

Synonym Discussion of inhibit

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done. forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

- smoking is forbidden in the building

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

- prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

- practices interdicted by the church

inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

- conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

INHIBIT Defined for English Language Learners

inhibit

verb

Definition 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

verb in·hib·it \ in-ˈhi-bət \

Definition of inhibit for Students

inhibited; inhibiting

:to prevent or hold back from doing something Shyness inhibited her in making new friends.

Medical Dictionary

inhibit

transitive verb in·hib·it \ in-ˈhib-ət \

medical Definition of inhibit

1 a :to restrain from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints

an inhibited person

b :to check or restrain the force or vitality of

inhibit aggressive tendencies

2 a :to reduce or suppress the activity of

a presynaptic neuron can not only excite a postsynaptic neuron but can also inhibit it
—H. W. Kendler

b :to retard or prevent the formation of

c :to retard, interfere with, or prevent (a process or reaction)

inhibit ovulation

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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

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Examples of inhibit in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of inhibit

inhibit Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of inhibit

INHIBIT Defined for English Language Learners

inhibit

Definition of inhibit for English Language Learners

INHIBIT Defined for Kids

inhibit

Definition of inhibit for Students

Medical Dictionary

inhibit

medical Definition of inhibit

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