Inhibit
— to restrain; to hinder
Inhibit means to restrain, hinder, or prevent an action, process, or behavior from happening or progressing. It suggests a force — internal or external — that holds something back from its natural course.
Fear inhibits action. Regulations inhibit growth. Shyness inhibits conversation. The word works in both scientific and everyday contexts: a drug can inhibit enzyme activity, and social anxiety can inhibit a person from speaking up. In every case, something is being held back or slowed down.
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Memory Mnemonic
IN HABIT
The keyword IN HABIT comes from how Inhibit sounds when spoken aloud. This pronunciation connection makes it easy to recall the keyword whenever you hear or see the word.
Memory Link
His bad HABIT kept him IN trouble—it restrained and hindered his progress!
Picture someone stuck IN a bad HABIT — smoking, procrastinating, or biting nails — and that habit restrains and hinders every attempt at progress. Visualise chains made of habit wrapping around them, holding them back every time they try to move forward. The HABIT keeps them IN place, blocking and restraining growth. That holding-back force is what inhibit means.
HOW TO MEMORIZE VOCABULARY
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Step 3: Ensure to Visualise the image, see it in your imagination. This is important even if it takes a few seconds.
Usage Examples
- The dense fog inhibited visibility and forced drivers to slow to a crawl on the highway.
- Her crippling self-doubt inhibited her from applying for promotions she clearly deserved.
- Certain chemicals in the compound inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Strict censorship laws inhibit freedom of expression and creative output.
- The medication works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for inflammation.
Etymology of Inhibit
From Latin inhibere, meaning "to hold in" or "to restrain," from in- (in) + habere (to hold). The word entered English in the 15th century and has always carried the sense of holding something back — preventing or restraining a process, action, or impulse.
Synonyms & Antonyms of Inhibit
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations with Inhibit
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