inhibition

1 the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling Synonyms continence, discipline, discretion, constraint, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppressionRelated Words command, control, mastery, possession; self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower; composure, self-poise, self-possession; aloofness, detachedness, distance; bashfulness, modesty, shyness; reticence, silence, taciturnityNear Antonyms self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperanceAntonyms disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

2 something that makes movement or progress difficult without the inhibition of their jackets, the boys were able to wrestle more vigorously Synonyms balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, encumbrance, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammelRelated Words catch, hitch, rub, snag; barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall; arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint; embargo, stoppage; delay, holdup, stall; burden, cumber, load; danger, hazard, peril, reef; adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardshipNear Antonyms catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus; advantage, break, edge; aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help