C1verb 2K

Inhibit

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪts/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪts/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Inhibit

to prevent something from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than normal

In simple words: to stop something from happening or growing

Inhibit in a sentence

• A lack of oxygen may inhibit brain development in the unborn child.
• Financial considerations are inhibiting access to higher education.
• Alcohol significantly inhibits the action of the drug.
• The managing director's presence inhibited them from airing their problems.
• The fear of dismissal inhibited employees from raising problems.

How to use Inhibit

Use 'inhibit' in both formal and informal contexts when discussing the prevention or slowing of actions, processes, or behaviors. It is appropriate in scientific, medical, or academic discussions, but might sound too technical in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

inhibit + object

Memory hint

Think of 'inhibit' like 'inhabit' — you can't grow (inhabit) if you're blocked (inhibit).

Related words

Collocations with Inhibit

• greatly
• markedly
• seriously
• tend to
• from
• greatly
• markedly
• seriously
• tend to
• from

Synonyms for Inhibit

• restrain
• prevent
• suppress
• hinder
• impede

Opposites of Inhibit

• promote
• encourage
• facilitate

Common mistakes with Inhibit

• Confused it with 'prohibit', which means to formally forbid something.
• Using it with the wrong preposition; it should be 'inhibit something', not 'inhibit to something'.
• Mixing it up with 'enhance'; inhibit means to restrict, while enhance means to improve.

Frequently asked questions about Inhibit

What does Inhibit mean?

to stop something from happening or growing

What is the definition of Inhibit?

to prevent something from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than normal

How do you use Inhibit in a sentence?

A lack of oxygen may inhibit brain development in the unborn child.

Can you give another example of Inhibit?

Financial considerations are inhibiting access to higher education.

What are synonyms for Inhibit?

Common alternatives include restrain, prevent, suppress, hinder, impede.

What is the opposite of Inhibit?

Opposite meanings include promote, encourage, facilitate.

What words go with Inhibit?

It commonly pairs with greatly, markedly, seriously, tend to, from, greatly, markedly, seriously, tend to, from.

What are common mistakes when using Inhibit?

Confused it with 'prohibit', which means to formally forbid something. Using it with the wrong preposition; it should be 'inhibit something', not 'inhibit to something'. Mixing it up with 'enhance'; inhibit means to restrict, while enhance means to improve.

How do you pronounce Inhibit?

US: /["/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪts/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪts/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Inhibit?

Use 'inhibit' in both formal and informal contexts when discussing the prevention or slowing of actions, processes, or behaviors. It is appropriate in scientific, medical, or academic discussions, but might sound too technical in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Inhibit?

"Inhibit" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.