inhibitory

American  

[in-hib-i-tawr-ee] / ɪnˈhɪb ɪˌtɔr i /

Sometimes inhibitive

adjective

1. acting to restrain, hinder, arrest, check, or prohibit an action, impulse, etc..

   These substances are strongly inhibitory for the growth of mycoplasmas and some protozoa.

   Children with weak inhibitory and attentional resources may have great difficulty resisting the influence of marketing.

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Other Word Forms

• interinhibitive
  adjective
• noninhibitive
  adjective
• noninhibitory
  adjective
• subinhibitory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of inhibitory

First recorded in 1490–1500; inhibit ( def. ) + -ory ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Inhibitory neurons usually function as a kind of neural "off" switch, as opposed to the "on" switch of excitatory neurons.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

Inhibitory neural pathways from the prefrontal cortex to the limbic system will enable reason to quash fear if the dangers are not grounded in fact.

From Scientific American • Oct. 18, 2020

Inhibitory neurons are also known as short axon neurons, interneurons or microneurons.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Proof that Inhibitory Nerve-Fibres do not exist. 1s.

From A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy by Bennett, Alexander Hughes

To prevent intruders or extruders from withdrawing his mind from the text, he exercises the Inhibitory function of the Attention.

From Assimilative Memory or, How to Attend and Never Forget by Loisette, A. (Alphonse)