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

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Etymology

Origin of inhibitory

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inhibitory

The drug is described as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor dual agonist, with potential for once-weekly oral dosing.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

When the researchers suppressed orexin neuron activity using an inhibitory protein, the animals showed less motivated behavior.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026

By normalizing Grik4 gene activity in this region, they restored communication with inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala called regular firing neurons.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

The study further uncovered new regulatory roles for well-known genes such as APP, which was shown to strongly control other genes in inhibitory neurons.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 15, 2026

And hence we have among other symptoms of this condition increased rapidity of the contractions of the heart from withdrawal of the inhibitory influence.

From Psychotherapy by James J. (James Joseph) Walsh

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