Word
inhibit
Phoneticsin·hib·it, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈhɪbət/
UK/ɪnhˈɪbɪt/
Definitions
01to slow or stop a process
C1 · Advanced Science Academic · Technical
v. to prevent a process from happening or to make it happen more slowly.
v. to hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process from occurring. Often used in scientific or technical contexts regarding chemical or biological reactions.
“The cold weather will inhibit the growth of the new plants.”
“The new drug is designed to inhibit the production of specific enzymes that contribute to the inflammation of the joints.”
02to make someone self-conscious
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to make someone feel nervous or embarrassed so they cannot behave normally.
v. to make someone self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed or natural way. Frequently appears in the passive voice or as the past participle 'inhibited'.
“The presence of a camera might inhibit the children's natural play.”
“Strict social conventions often inhibit individuals from expressing their true opinions during formal diplomatic negotiations.”
03to recuse oneself
C2 · Proficiency Law Dialect · Formal · Technical
v. to stop yourself from being involved in a legal case because of a personal interest.
v. to recuse oneself from a legal proceeding or official duty due to a potential conflict of interest.
“The judge decided to inhibit himself from the trial because he knew the defendant.”
“The ombudsman chose to inhibit himself from the investigation to avoid any perception of bias or conflict of interest.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inhibit” in context.
Verb
01. inhibit the development of cells
“The new drug is designed to inhibit the development of cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. inhibit the release of hormones
“Stress can inhibit the release of hormones necessary for a healthy immune response.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. severely inhibit growth
“High interest rates can severely inhibit economic growth by reducing consumer spending.”
adv + verb + noun
Adjective
04. feel inhibited
“Many students feel inhibited when they are asked to speak in front of a large audience.”
verb + adj
05. socially inhibited
“He was quite socially inhibited as a child, but he became much more outgoing at university.”
adv + adj
Adverb
06. directly inhibit the process
“The presence of impurities will directly inhibit the chemical process required for the reaction.”
adv + verb + noun
07. significantly inhibit progress
“A lack of funding will significantly inhibit progress on the infrastructure project.”
adv + verb + noun
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In psychological contexts, it is frequently used in the passive voice ('to feel inhibited').
Pitfall
The medicine inhibits from the pain
The medicine inhibits the pain
Inhibit is a transitive verb and takes a direct object; it should not be followed by the preposition 'from' like the verb 'prevent'.
Real-World Examples
“Smoke can also contain toxins that inhibit algal growth, while dense smoke clouds may reduce the sunlight needed for photosynthesis.” “In most cases, the answer was “nothing.” But 16 of the sequences managed to inhibit the growth of the E.” Etymology
From Latin inhibitus, perfect passive participle of inhibeō (“I hold in, check, restrain”), from in (“in, at, on”), + habeō (“I have, hold, keep”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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