inhibit

verb

in·​hib·​it in-ˈhi-bət 

inhibited; inhibiting; inhibits

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

in-ˈhi-bə-tiv 

adjective

inhibitory

in-ˈhi-bə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Example Sentences

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 on the Web

The factors potentially inhibiting prebiotic chemistry are legion. —Mario Livio, Scientific American, 19 Apr. 2023

High levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor inhibit the natural rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle, Wirth says. —Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023

Los Angeles is more than $20 million over the cap, and there's only so much restructuring the team can do without inhibiting its future flexibility. —Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2023

The publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society described how the Leibniz Institute team team applied the liquid from Pseudomonas cultures to Hydrangea macrophylla leaves and saw how this liquid alone could inhibit the growth of Botrytis cinerea. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023

Any type of cumulus cloud within 10 nautical miles (18.5 kilometers) of the flight path will also inhibit a launch. —Britley Ritz, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022

There are interstate fights over the siting of transmission lines, supply chain challenges slowing shipments of equipment and bureaucratic snags that are inhibiting the permitting. —Evan Halper, Washington Post, 17 May 2023

Under the area of high pressure, storms have trouble developing or sustaining severe levels due to sinking air, which inhibits thunderstorm growth. —Haley Brink, CNN, 8 May 2023

However, researchers have developed another drug that inhibits proteins with T790M and other EGFR mutations more broadly, improving survival for patients with these types of lung cancers. —Monika Joshi, The Conversation, 1 May 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre, from in- in- entry 2 + habēre to have — more at habit entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

inhibit

verb

in·​hib·​it in-ˈhib-ət 

1

: to prevent or hold back from doing something : restrain, repress

fear can inhibit the natural expression of feelings

2

: to prevent or slow down the activity or occurrence of

oil inhibits rust

a drug which inhibits an infection

inhibitor

-ət-ər

noun

inhibitory

-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Medical Definition

inhibit

transitive verb

in·​hib·​it in-ˈhib-ət 

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