Reading Theme:
Inhibit Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：hold back or slow down (inhibit)
inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
v.
To slow down or stop a natural process from happening normally.
hold back or slow down
➕
/hoʊld bæk ɔːr sloʊ daʊn/
v.
To prevent or retard a process, activity, or function from proceeding normally.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'inhibere' (in- 'in' + habere 'to hold'), meaning to hold in or restrain.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'in-hibit' — put a 'halt' (habit) inside, stopping action.
📖 Example
High interest rates can inhibit economic growth by making loans too expensive for businesses.
High interest rates can hold back or slow down economic growth by making loans too expensive for businesses.
🔗 Collocations
inhibit growth – to slow down or stop development
inhibit a reaction – to prevent a chemical or biological reaction
inhibit enzyme activity – to reduce the function of an enzyme
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
facilitate (v.) – to make a process easier or smoother
promote (v.) – to actively support or encourage progress
accelerate (v.) – to increase the speed of a process
🌱 Derivatives
inhibition (n.) – the act or state of being inhibited
inhibitor (n.) – something that inhibits a process, especially a chemical substance
inhibitory (adj.) – tending to inhibit or restrain
📖 Cultural Story
Originally from Latin 'inhibere', used in ancient Rome for restraining horses. In modern psychology, it describes suppression of impulses or natural processes.
Meaning 2：cause nervous restraint (inhibit)
inhibit
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
v.
To make someone feel nervous or uncomfortable so they can't relax or behave naturally.
cause nervous restraint
➕
/kɔːz ˈnɜːrvəs rɪˈstreɪnt/
v.
To make someone feel self-conscious or uneasy, preventing natural behavior.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Feeling constantly watched by his boss inhibited him from speaking freely during meetings.
Feeling constantly watched by his boss caused him to feel nervous restraint, preventing him from speaking freely during meetings.
🔗 Collocations
feel inhibited – to experience nervousness that restricts one's actions
inhibit someone's creativity – to make a person unable to express creative ideas due to pressure
socially inhibited – having difficulty interacting freely in social situations
🔄 Synonyms
constrain (v.) – to restrict or limit someone's natural behavior
discourage (v.) – to make someone less willing to do something
repress (v.) – to consciously prevent a feeling or impulse from being expressed
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
inhibited (adj.) – feeling or showing nervousness or restraint
disinhibit (v.) – to remove inhibitions; to make someone act more freely
inhibitor (n.) – a psychological factor that restrains behavior
Wordbook
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