verb

inhibit

to inhibit, to restrain, to hinder, to prevent

Fear of failure can inhibit your performance.

Fear of failure can inhibit your performance.

This drug inhibits the growth of tumors.

This drug inhibits the growth of tumors.

((sth.)) to inhibit (sth.) This drug inhibits the growth of bacteria.

((sb.)) from (-ing) to inhibit (sb.) from (doing sth.) Shyness inhibited him from speaking.

Synonyms: hinder, restrain, prevent, suppress; Antonyms: encourage, allow, permit

From Latin 'inhibere', from 'in-' (in, against) + 'habere' (to hold). The original meaning is 'to hold in' or 'hold back'.

Think of 'prohibit' (to forbid externally) versus 'inhibit' (to restrain internally). 'Inhibit' is like an internal brake.

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