Word
inhibit
Meanings
to prevent something from happening or to slow down a process
to make someone feel nervous or self-conscious so they act less freely
Definition
To inhibit something is to prevent it from happening or slow it down.
To inhibit means to make a process, action, or development less likely, slower, or weaker. It is often used in scientific, social, and everyday contexts where something blocks or restrains an effect. It can also describe how fear, shyness, or rules stop someone from acting naturally. The focus is on limiting rather than completely stopping.
Examples
- Strict reporting rules can inhibit open discussion during a fast-moving project.
- I sometimes inhibit my own creativity by worrying too much about making mistakes.
- Her strong accent didn’t inhibit her from speaking up in the seminar.
- They found that constant interruptions inhibit concentration when they work from home.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "inhibit" with "prohibit"—"inhibit" means restrain or slow down, not officially ban.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.