# inhibit

/ˌɪnˈhɪbət/ (US) · /ɪnhˈɪbɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inhibit
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to slow or stop a process

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

to prevent a process from happening or to make it happen more slowly.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly used with a direct object representing a process or biological function.

### 2. to make someone self-conscious

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to make someone feel nervous or embarrassed so they cannot behave normally.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice: 'to be inhibited by something'.

### 3. to recuse oneself

verb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Formal · Technical

to stop yourself from being involved in a legal case because of a personal interest.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This specific legal sense is primarily found in Philippine English; in other varieties, 'recuse' is the standard term.

## Examples

- Cold weather can inhibit the growth of many garden plants.
- The presence of strict supervisors tended to inhibit the workers, making them less likely to share creative ideas.
- Research suggests that certain enzymes are designed to inhibit the production of hormones that cause stress, thereby maintaining a chemical balance within the brain during periods of high pressure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.