inhibition

noun in·hi·bi·tion \ ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən , ˌi-nə- \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Examples: inhibition in a Sentence

Definition of inhibition

1 a : the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b : something that forbids, debars, or restricts

2 : an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: such as

a : a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (such as a desire)

b : a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (such as an enzyme)

See inhibition defined for English-language learners

See inhibition defined for kids

Examples of inhibition in a Sentence

She laughed loudly and without inhibition.
an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling

Recent Examples of inhibition from the Web

His proceeding tenure at PSG, while statistically impressive and silverware laden, showed his inhibitions as a top level tactician.

— SI.com, "Why Laurent Blanc is the Worst Possible Managerial Choice for Chelsea in 2018," 8 June 2018
These include drugs to remove inhibitions to the immune response, and various cellular therapies that directly attack cancer.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Scripps Research, AbbVie join in large cancer therapy alliance," 25 June 2018
By removing inhibitions and consequences, the park holds a mirror up to our faces, revealing truths that are otherwise occluded by society's programming.

— sandra upson, WIRED, "Westworld Recap, Season 2 Episode 8: The Great Ghost Nation Mystery," 11 June 2018
Some of these changes may be characterized by decreased inhibition (e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seemed out of character), similar to effects produced by alcohol and other CNS depressants.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Pharmalittle: Biogen escapes a compulsory license; could Ambien cause racist tweeting?," 30 May 2018
The Argentine has been publicly, and far from subtly, decreeing his dissatisfaction with a number of Spurs' systematic inhibitions.

— SI.com, "Why Pochettino Should Switch Make the Controversial Switch From Spurs to Chelsea This Summer," 17 May 2018
By removing inhibitions and consequences, the park holds a mirror up to our faces, revealing truths that are otherwise occluded by society's programming.

— sandra upson, WIRED, "Westworld Recap, Season 2 Episode 8: The Great Ghost Nation Mystery," 11 June 2018
Think of Venus in Leo as a booster shot for any preexisting spring-and-summer fever: Frisky and attention-seeking vibes will abound and inhibitions will be lowered.

— refinery29.com, "What Venus Has In Store For Your Summer Love Life," 11 June 2018
Cultural inhibitions also impede the development of end-of-life care.

— The Economist, "Taboos make it hard to discuss mortality in China," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inhibition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inhibition

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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inhibition Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

INHIBITION Defined for English Language Learners

inhibition

noun

Definition of inhibition for English Language Learners

: a nervous feeling that prevents you from expressing your thoughts, emotions, or desires
: the act of preventing or slowing the activity or occurrence of something

Medical Dictionary

inhibition

noun in·hi·bi·tion \ ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən \

medical Definition of inhibition

: the act or an instance of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited: as

a (1) : a stopping or checking of a bodily action : a restraining of the function of an organ or an agent (as a digestive fluid or enzyme)

inhibition of the heartbeat by stimulation of the vagus nerve

inhibition of plantar reflexes

(2) : interference with or retardation or prevention of a process or activity

inhibition of bacterial growth

b (1) : a desirable restraint or check upon the free or spontaneous instincts or impulses of an individual guided or directed by the social and cultural forces of the environment

the self-control so developed is called inhibition
—C. W. Russell

(2) : a neurotic restraint upon a normal or beneficial impulse or activity caused by psychological inner conflicts or by sociocultural forces of the environment