inhibit

American  

[in-hib-it] / ɪnˈhɪb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   obstruct, discourage, repress

2. to prohibit; forbid.

   Synonyms:

   interdict

3. Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior).

4. Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction).

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inhibit British  

/ ɪnˈhɪbɪt /

verb

1. to restrain or hinder (an impulse, a desire, etc)

2. to prohibit; forbid

3. to stop, prevent, or decrease the rate of (a chemical reaction)

4. electronics

   1. to prevent the occurrence of (a particular signal) in a circuit

   2. to prevent the performance of (a particular operation)

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Usage

What’s the difference between inhibit and prohibit? Prohibit most commonly means to forbid or disallow, but it can also mean what inhibit usually means—to prevent or hinder. Inhibit can also mean to forbid, but this use is much less common.Prohibit is most commonly used in the context of rules, especially official ones like laws. The speed limit prohibits you from going above a certain speed. Parents might prohibit their kids from eating candy before dinner, but the word forbid is more commonly used in cases like this.Inhibit, on the other hand, is usually used in the context of things that prevent or hinder what someone is trying to do. Speed bumps are designed to inhibit speeding. A leg injury can inhibit your ability to walk.The meaning of prohibit and inhibit most often overlaps in cases when something is inhibited to the point of almost not being able to happen at all, as in This cast is designed to prohibit movement (prohibit could be replaced with inhibit in this sentence without much or any change in meaning).The adjective form inhibited is often used to indicate that someone or something is held back from full potential. When it’s applied to a person, it usually involves a mental, emotional, or psychological block, as in I feel less inhibited around my new group of friends—they accept me for who I am.The adjective prohibited describes something that’s forbidden, as in The sign lists all of the prohibited activities. Here’s an example of inhibit and prohibit used correctly in the same sentence.Example: To inhibit the acceleration of climate change, we must prohibit any increase in fossil fuel emissions.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inhibit and prohibit.

Related Words

See forbid.

Other Word Forms

• inhibitable adjective
• inhibitive adjective
• inhibitory adjective
• overinhibit verb (used with object)
• uninhibiting adjective

Etymology

Origin of inhibit

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English inhibiten, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre “to restrain,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -hibēre, combining form of habēre “to have, hold”

Example Sentences

Three newly identified compounds were found to strongly inhibit α-glucosidase, an enzyme that plays a central role in breaking down carbohydrates during digestion.

From Science Daily

"Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, we can either excite or inhibit neurons in the spinal cord," he said.

From Science Daily

Drug researchers have been seeking ways to inhibit RAS for decades because of its important role in many cancers.

From The Wall Street Journal

When mice were treated with a drug that inhibits mTORC1, researchers saw a clear reduction in brain inflammation, neuron loss, alpha-synuclein accumulation, and motor problems.

From Science Daily

Officials argued it was "fundamentally not in the public interest" to disclose private conversations between world leaders, warning doing so would inhibit frank exchanges in future.

From BBC

Related Words

• constrain
• curb
• discourage
• forbid
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• outlaw
• prohibit
• restrain
• stymie
• suppress