Inhibit
To hinder, restrain, or prevent someone or something from acting or progressing.
verbInhibit
To hinder, restrain, or prevent someone or something from acting or progressing.
verbImagine This
Imagine a strict gatekeeper raising a red rope to stop people from entering a restricted area; the flow is inhibited until clearance is given.
Sounds Like
in-HIB-it
Looks Like
in- + hibit (hold) — looks similar to 'habit' due to the hibit root; visually suggests holding back.
Remember This
The root hibit comes from Latin habere (to hold). Inhibit literally means to hold back or restrain.
Other Forms
Connect With
restrict, restrain, impede, curb, suppress
Note
Inhibit describes restraining actions, impulses, or processes. It is a transitive verb and is often followed by 'from' or by a direct object (e.g., inhibit growth, inhibit a release). Distinguish from 'prevent' in that inhibit emphasizes restraint or suppression rather than outright stopping.