inhibits; inhibited; inhibiting
1
: to keep (someone) from doing what he or she wants to do
You shouldn't allow fear of failure to inhibit you.
He was inhibited by modesty.
Fear can inhibit people from expressing their opinions.
2
: to prevent or slow down the activity or occurrence of (something)
drugs that are used to inhibit infection
Strict laws are inhibiting economic growth.
Cite this Entry
“Inhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/inhibit. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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