inhibit
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for inhibit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To slow down, restrain, or prevent something from happening freely.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use inhibit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
inhibit growth
inhibit development
socially inhibited
Etymology
From Latin inhibere, "to hold in, restrain," from "in-" + habere ("to have, hold").
Full origin of inhibit →Frequently asked questions
What does “inhibit” mean?
The word “inhibit” means to slow down, restrain, or prevent something from happening freely. In plain terms, to hold something back or make it harder to happen.
How do you pronounce “inhibit”?
“Inhibit” is pronounced ihn-HIH-biht (/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inhibit” in a sentence?
Here is “inhibit” used in a sentence: “Cold weather can inhibit plant growth.”
What part of speech is “inhibit”?
“Inhibit” is a verb.
Where does the word “inhibit” come from?
The word “inhibit” comes from Latin. From Latin inhibere, "to hold in, restrain," from "in-" + habere ("to have, hold").
Is “inhibit” a common word?
“Inhibit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
