Inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
verbB2
Definition
Inhibit means to prevent or slow down something from happening or growing. It can be used for actions, feelings, or natural processes when something stops or controls them. For example, a law might inhibit people from doing something, or fear might inhibit someone from speaking.
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See It in Action
To slow down or prevent an action or process
- •The medicine can inhibit the growth of bacteria.
- •Strict rules inhibit creativity in some workplaces.
- •Cold weather inhibits plant growth during winter.
To hold back or control feelings or behavior
- •Fear inhibited her from speaking in public.
- •He was inhibited by shyness at the party.
- •Some people inhibit their emotions to avoid conflict.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "inhibit" like "stop," but not always completely—more like "slow down" or "hold back"
- ✓Picture a red light at a traffic signal that makes cars wait and stop moving forward
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to say something but feel shy or scared, so you hold your words inside
- ✓Sounds like "in-HIB-it" → imagine a "hibernation" bear going to sleep, slowing down all its actions
- ✓Think of a teacher who tells students to be quiet, stopping them from talking loudly
- ✓NOT like "allow" (which means to let happen), "inhibit" means to block or slow down
- ✓NOT like "force" (which means to make happen), "inhibit" means to stop or hold back
- ✓NOT like "stop" (which is complete end), "inhibit" can be softer, just making something harder or slower
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means to pay no attention), "inhibit" means active control or stopping
Try Other Words
- •Prevent: to stop something from happening (Use when the action is completely stopped)
- •Restrain: to hold back or control (Use when talking about controlling behavior or feelings)
- •Limit: to make something less or smaller (Use when reducing amount or extent)
- •Block: to stop something by putting something in the way (Use when physical or clear obstruction is involved)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "in-" (meaning "in" or "on") + root "hibit" (from Latin "habere," meaning "to hold")
- •Etymology: From Latin "inhibere," meaning "to hold in, restrain, or keep back"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to mean holding back or preventing actions or feelings
- •Modern usage: Common in science, psychology, and everyday language to describe slowing or stopping something from happening
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to inhibit your feelings? How did it feel?
•How does society use rules to inhibit some behaviors, and why might that be important?
Fill in the blanks
1.The new law was designed to inhibit people from ___ harmful chemicals in the water.
2.Sometimes, shyness can inhibit a person from ___ their true thoughts.
3.Medicines often inhibit the growth of bacteria by ___ their ability to reproduce.
4.Strict rules may inhibit creativity, making it ___ for people to try new ideas.
5.When you inhibit your emotions, you ___ showing how you really feel.
6.The cold weather inhibits plant growth because it ___ the natural process of development.
7.Unlike "stop," to inhibit something means to make it ___ or more difficult, not always ending it completely.