inhibit
- to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.).
- to prohibit; forbid.
- Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior).
- Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction).
Origin of inhibit
Synonyms for inhibit
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for inhibit
hinder, obstruct, discourage, prohibit, forbid, suppress, outlaw, stymie, restrain, curb, impede, constrain, hog-tie, cramp, bar, avert, withhold, faze, bit, stopExamples from the Web for inhibit
Contemporary Examples of inhibit
Studies have repeatedly shown that Plan B ok “does not inhibit implantation.”
If the technology works well, secrecy can inhibit its deployment.
“Oil is antimicrobial and gets into the tissues of the mouth to inhibit bacterial growth,” says Caldecott.
Since the FDA approved Plan B in 1999, repeated studies have shown the drug does not inhibit implantation.
IUDs, also named in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga suits, almost certainly can inhibit implantation.
Historical Examples of inhibit
It shares, we said, with attention, the power to reënforce and to inhibit.
PsychotherapyHugo Mnsterberg
To close the path means to inhibit the idea which demands such action.
PsychotherapyHugo Mnsterberg
The wine would cleanse and at least inhibit bacterial growth.
Old-Time Makers of MedicineJames J. Walsh
Such excretions often serve to inhibit further multiplication.
Insects and DiseasesRennie W. Doane
The finest—and no acute case of puritanism to inhibit his enjoyment.
Inside John BarthWilliam W. Stuart
inhibit
- to restrain or hinder (an impulse, a desire, etc)
- to prohibit; forbid
- to stop, prevent, or decrease the rate of (a chemical reaction)
- electronics
- to prevent the occurrence of (a particular signal) in a circuit
- to prevent the performance of (a particular operation)
Word Origin for inhibit
Word Origin and History for inhibit
early 15c., "to forbid, prohibit," back-formation from inhibition or else from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibere "to hold in, hold back, keep back" (see inhibition). Psychological sense (1876) is from earlier, softened meaning of "restrain, check, hinder" (1530s). Related: Inhibited; inhibiting.
inhibit
(ĭn-hĭb′ĭt)- To hold back; restrain.
- To suppress or restrain a behavioral process, an impulse, or a desire consciously or unconsciously.
- To prevent or decrease the rate of a chemical reaction.
- To decrease, limit, or block the action or function of something in the body, as an enzyme or organ.