Word Games Pro Dictionary

inhibit

verb

prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
7
Starts with
I
Ends with
T
Contains
NH
Scrabble score
12
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

ɪnˈhɪbɪt

Meaning

Definitions

verb

  1. prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something

    “Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs”

verb

  1. make (someone) self-conscious and as a result unable to act naturally

    “his father's cold and distant demeanor inhibited him emotionally”

verb

  1. consciously restrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior

    “suppress a smile”

verb

  1. limit, block, or decrease the action or function of

    “inhibit the action of the enzyme”

In context

Example Sentences

Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs
his father's cold and distant demeanor inhibited him emotionally
suppress a smile
he let his anger bottle up until he exploded
inhibit the action of the enzyme
inhibit the rate of a chemical reaction

Similar words

Synonyms

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