Definition Definition

inhibit - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'inhibit' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Inhibit [ v. t.]
- To check; to hold back; to restrain; to hinder.
- To forbid; to prohibit; to interdict.

Meaning of 'inhibit' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . inhibit [ v]
Meaning (1):
- prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something
Example in sentence:
  • Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs
Meaning (2):
- consciously restrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
Example in sentence:
  • he let his anger bottle up until he exploded;
  • suppress a smile
Meaning (3):
- make (someone) self-conscious and as a result unable to act naturally
Example in sentence:
  • his father's cold and distant demeanor inhibited him emotionally
Meaning (4):
- limit, block, or decrease the action or function of
Example in sentence:
  • inhibit the action of the enzyme;
  • inhibit the rate of a chemical reaction