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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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 And this has raised concerns among public health experts that such out-of-pocket costs will inhibit the use of PrEP. 
Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 But such legislation could also inhibit these discussions. Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 31 July 2022 The relatively cold water gushing through the dam and into the river could inhibit the warm-water species’ fertility. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 The price controls in the Inflation Reduction Act would inhibit innovation and cut American lives short. Stephen Moore And Tomas J. Philipson, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022 High levels of artificial light can inhibit this signalling activity. Shreya Sharma, Quartz, 24 June 2022 Emotional insecurity can inhibit you from a smooth flow of activity, so make room for nurturing self-care on your to-do list. Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2022 Tumors near the pituitary gland can interfere with hormonal messaging; growths on ovaries or testes can inhibit standard function. Madeleine Watts, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 These can inhibit their ability to form healthy social and emotional connections. Mahnoor Khan, Fortune, 13 May 2022 See More
Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 But such legislation could also inhibit these discussions. Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 31 July 2022 The relatively cold water gushing through the dam and into the river could inhibit the warm-water species’ fertility. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 The price controls in the Inflation Reduction Act would inhibit innovation and cut American lives short. Stephen Moore And Tomas J. Philipson, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022 High levels of artificial light can inhibit this signalling activity. Shreya Sharma, Quartz, 24 June 2022 Emotional insecurity can inhibit you from a smooth flow of activity, so make room for nurturing self-care on your to-do list. Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2022 Tumors near the pituitary gland can interfere with hormonal messaging; growths on ovaries or testes can inhibit standard function. Madeleine Watts, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 These can inhibit their ability to form healthy social and emotional connections. Mahnoor Khan, Fortune, 13 May 2022 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-ˈhi-bət
inhibited; inhibiting
: to prevent or hold back from doing something Shyness inhibited her in making new friends.
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
H. W. Kendler b
: to retard or prevent the formation of
c
: to retard, interfere with, or prevent (a process or reaction)
inhibit ovulation
inhibit
verb
1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- impede
- hinder
- hamper
- obstruct
- embarrass
- stymie
- handicap
- restrain
- block
- delay
- disrupt
- constrain
- encumber
- cramp
- thwart
- tie up
- hobble
- fetter
- clog
- shackle
- short-circuit
- handcuff
- trammel
- stifle
- hold back
- frustrate
- curb
- hog-tie
- bind
- rein
- interfere (with)
- cramp one's style
- manacle
- retard
- retain
- tie
- brake
- give a hard time
- balk
- chain
- hold up
- strangle
- confine
- sabotage
- arrest
- tether
- derail
- check
- barricade
- blockade
- repress
- roadblock
- baffle
- halter
- leash
- choke
- foil
- suppress
- smother
- suffocate
- muzzle
- stump
- mire
- bog (down)
- hedge (in)
- hem (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- facilitate
- help
- assist
- aid
- open
- promote
- liberate
- encourage
- make way
- clear
- release
- loosen
- free
- unclog
- unplug
- smooth
- unstop
- further
- untie
2
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations Synonyms & Similar Words
- regulate
- contain
- curb
- control
- restrain
- keep
- stifle
- suppress
- constrain
- measure
- tame
- govern
- rule
- stop
- hold
- check
- bridle
- impede
- hinder
- interrupt
- repress
- pull in
- squelch
- obstruct
- rein (in)
- muffle
- smother
- strangle
- hamper
- swallow
- block
- arrest
- hold back
- pocket
- mince
- silence
- choke (back)
- handcuff
- sink
- muzzle
- bottle (up)
- gag
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- liberate
- loosen
- express
- unleash
- loose
- take out
- vent
- air
3
as in to discourage
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action a fundamental sense of propriety should have inhibited you from making a drunken spectacle of yourself Synonyms & Similar Words
- discourage
- dissuade
- deter
- divert
- repel
- unsell
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourage
- persuade
- induce
- urge
- egg (on)
- exhort
- prompt
- prod
- goad
- impel
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of inhibit are forbid, interdict, and prohibit. While all these words mean "to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done," 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
The words forbid and inhibit can be used in similar contexts, but forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.
smoking is forbidden in the building
While in some cases nearly identical to inhibit, interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.
practices interdicted by the church
The synonyms prohibit and inhibit are sometimes interchangeable, but prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.
prohibited the sale of liquor