inhibit

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

Other forms: inhibited; inhibiting; inhibits

When you inhibit something, you block it or hold it back. If you put plants in a dark room, you inhibit their growth. A teacher who mocks their students for giving wrong answers inhibits their willingness to speak up in class.

When you look at the word inhibit, think hinder. Though it sounds like it might be a bad thing to inhibit something else, there is no judgment built into the word. A drug that inhibits the growth of cancer cells would generally be considered a very good thing. While you may wish cancer cells to be inhibited, you probably don't wish it upon your friend's sense of humor or your country's economic growth.

Definitions of inhibit

1. verb

   limit the range or extent of
   “Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs”

   synonyms: constrict

   type of:

   bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel

   place limits on (extent or access)
2. verb

   limit, block, or decrease the action or function of
   “inhibit the action of the enzyme”

   “inhibit the rate of a chemical reaction”

   type of:

   hinder, impede

   be a hindrance or obstacle to
3. verb

   put down by force or authority
   synonyms: conquer, curb, stamp down, subdue, suppress

   types:

   blink, blink away, wink

   force to go away by blinking

   dampen, stifle

   smother or suppress

   choke back, choke down, choke off

   suppress

   hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, silence, still

   cause to be quiet or not talk

   burke

   get rid of, silence, or suppress

   silence

   keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure

   quell, quench, squelch

   suppress or crush completely

   muffle, repress, smother, stifle, strangle

   conceal or hide

   shush

   silence (someone) by uttering 'shush!'

   choke, suffocate

   suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of

   calm down, lull

   become quiet or less intensive

   shout down

   silence or overwhelm by shouting

   gag, muzzle

   prevent from speaking out

   type of:

   check, contain, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate

   lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
4. verb

   control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
   synonyms: bottle up, suppress

   types:

   hold back, keep, keep back, restrain

   keep under control; keep in check

   quench

   electronics: suppress (sparking) when the current is cut off in an inductive circuit, or suppress (an oscillation or discharge) in a component or device

   choke

   check or slow down the action or effect of

   hold

   keep from exhaling or expelling

   confine

   prevent from leaving or from being removed

   bottle up, suppress

   control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior

   check, contain, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate

   lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

   type of:

   hold back, keep, keep back, restrain

   keep under control; keep in check