inhibit

//ɪnˈhɪbɪt//
B2Frequency Level 10Formal
Visual representation of inhibit

Verb

inhibitInfinitive
inhibitPresent tense
inhibitedPast tense
inhibitedPast participle
inhibitingPresent participle
inhibitsThird-person singular
1

To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process from occurring.

Fear of failure can inhibit creativity.

2

To make someone self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed or natural way.

Her strict parents inhibited her from expressing her true feelings.

3

To slow down or prevent a chemical or biological reaction or process.

This drug inhibits the growth of cancer cells.