inhibit

[ in-hib-it ]

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).

inhibit

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• inˈhibitive, adjective
• inˈhibitable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·hib·it·a·ble adjective
• in·hib·i·to·ry [in-, hib, -i-tawr-ee], in·hib·i·tive adjective
• o·ver·in·hib·it verb (used with object)
• un·in·hib·it·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhibit¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhibit¹

C15: from Latin inhibēre to restrain, from in- ² + habēre to have

Synonym Study

See forbid.

Example Sentences

T-cells struggle to get inside large masses of cancer cells, and even if they do, these tumors often produce proteins that inhibit the effectiveness of the T-cells.

From Singularity Hub 

“We’re excited because we need drugs that inhibit the virus directly,” Maldonado says.

From Science News

A July 21 study in Cell Reports found that the drug can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in lab-grown monkey and human cells.

From Science News

The disorder, known as X-linked agammaglobulinemia, inhibits the body’s ability to make the antibodies called gamma globulins, resulting in severe infections even from fairly innocuous pathogens.

From Quanta Magazine

Besides the reports out of China, two studies using computer simulations of coronavirus proteins predicted that famotidine might dock with and inhibit important viral enzymes called proteases that help the virus replicate.

From Science News

Studies have repeatedly shown that Plan B ok “does not inhibit implantation.”

From The Daily Beast

If the technology works well, secrecy can inhibit its deployment.

From The Daily Beast

“Oil is antimicrobial and gets into the tissues of the mouth to inhibit bacterial growth,” says Caldecott.

From The Daily Beast

Since the FDA approved Plan B in 1999, repeated studies have shown the drug does not inhibit implantation.

From The Daily Beast

IUDs, also named in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga suits, almost certainly can inhibit implantation.

From The Daily Beast

If he does not inhibit or exclude from his mind the word “Petition” he can make no advance.

From Project Gutenberg

The wine would cleanse and at least inhibit bacterial growth.

From Project Gutenberg

You worked your way outward on this run, and the High Council didn't see fit to erase those memories or inhibit them.

From Project Gutenberg

By refraining from the physical expression, one may at least partially inhibit the emotion.

From Project Gutenberg

The public welfare requires that we inhibit our fighting impulses, except in cases of self-defense or war.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

Inhibit Vs. Prohibit

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.

Quiz yourself on inhibit vs. prohibit!

Should inhibit or prohibit be used in the following sentence?

The school board adopted a new rule to _____ smoking anywhere on school grounds.