inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪb.ɪt/- 1.
To hold back, slow down, or make it harder for someone to do something naturally or freely. The blocking force can be internal (like fear or anxiety) or external (like rules or conditions).
- Nervousness can inhibit a student from speaking up in class.
- She felt inhibited by the presence of senior managers in the room.
- Strict rules sometimes inhibit creative thinking at work.
- 2.
In science and medicine, to reduce or block the activity of a biological process, chemical reaction, or substance. This is a common meaning in academic and technical writing.
- The drug inhibits an enzyme that causes inflammation.
- Low temperatures inhibit the growth of bacteria in food.
- Certain chemicals inhibit the release of hormones in the body.
Adinary Nuance
Inhibit sits in a cluster of words that all suggest something is being slowed or stopped — but they are not the same. Prevent means to stop something completely; inhibit means to make it harder or slower, not necessarily impossible. Hinder is similar to inhibit, but it usually describes external obstacles (traffic hinders progress), while inhibit often suggests an internal or physiological force (fear inhibits speech). Suppress is stronger — it implies actively pushing something down, often with effort or authority (suppress a protest, suppress emotions), whereas inhibit is more passive and gradual. In academic and IELTS writing, inhibit is the preferred choice when describing factors that reduce or slow a process rather than end it entirely.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Ức chế, kìm hãm
- Spanish
- inhibir
- Chinese
- 抑制
- Japanese
- 抑制する
- Korean
- 억제하다
Etymology
From Latin *inhibēre*, meaning "to hold in" or "to restrain," formed from *in-* ("in, against") and *habēre* ("to hold"). The word entered English in the late 15th century, and its scientific usage grew strongly from the 19th century onward.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'inhibit' and 'prevent'?
- 'Prevent' means to stop something completely from happening. 'Inhibit' means to slow it down or make it harder — but it may still happen. For example, fear can inhibit your ability to speak, but it doesn't always prevent it entirely.
- Is 'inhibit' a formal word? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- 'Inhibit' is moderately formal. It appears often in academic writing, IELTS essays, and medical or scientific contexts. In casual speech, people more often say 'hold back' or 'get in the way of,' but 'inhibit' is not too stiff for everyday educated writing.
- What does 'socially inhibited' mean?
- A 'socially inhibited' person feels held back or uncomfortable in social situations. They may find it hard to speak freely, join conversations, or express themselves around other people, often due to shyness or anxiety.
- How is 'inhibit' used in IELTS or academic writing?
- In IELTS essays, 'inhibit' is useful when discussing factors that slow progress or reduce something — for example, 'poverty inhibits access to education' or 'pollution inhibits economic development.' It signals a cause-and-effect relationship and elevates the register of your writing.