inhibit

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈhi-bət/ (ame, mw)

inhibit — verb

  • inhibitpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inhibitshe / she / it
  • inhibitedpast simple
  • inhibiting-ing form

1. to make someone feel so shy, nervous, or self-conscious that they cannot act nat

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make someone feel so shy, nervous, or self-conscious that they cannot act naturally or freely express their thoughts and feelings

例句

The presence of the inspector made Bao feel too inhibited to speak openly about the project.

passive: feel inhibited

Lotte's fear of being laughed at inhibited her from singing in front of anyone.

inhibit + object + from + -ing

同義詞
  • restrain

    more physical or external control; less about inner feelings

  • discourage

    weaker; suggests making someone less willing rather than unable

  • constrain

    focuses on being limited by external rules or circumstances

反義詞
  • encourage

    to give someone confidence to act

  • liberate

    to free someone from psychological restrictions

文法句型

inhibit + object

inhibit + object + from + -ing

be inhibited

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive (felt inhibited, was inhibited from). The inhibition can come from within the person themselves or from external social pressure. The active form usually requires a stated cause (e.g., his shyness, the formal setting).

常見錯誤

❌The school rules inhibit students from using phones during class.
✅The school rules prohibit students from using phones during class.
💡inhibit describes a psychological or emotional barrier, not a rule or law. Use prohibit for official bans.

2. to slow down or reduce the speed of a natural process, chemical reaction, or bio

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to slow down or reduce the speed of a natural process, chemical reaction, or biological activity

例句

Cold temperatures inside a refrigerator inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in food.

inhibit + growth (common scientific collocation)

The new drug works by inhibiting the enzyme that causes inflammation in the joints.

inhibiting + enzyme (biochemical process)

同義詞
  • slow

    more general; less formal

  • suppress

    stronger; suggests actively stopping or preventing

  • hinder

    to create difficulties that delay progress

  • retard

    technical synonym for slowing development; more formal

反義詞
  • accelerate

    to increase the speed of a process

  • promote

    to encourage or support growth or activity

  • stimulate

    to make a process more active

文法句型

inhibit + process/growth/reaction

be inhibited by

inhibit + object + from + -ing

用法筆記

Common in scientific, medical, and technical writing. The object is typically a natural process, biological activity, or chemical reaction — not a person. Often used with the prepositions by and from.

常見錯誤

❌The antibiotic completely inhibited the infection in one day.
✅The antibiotic inhibited the growth of the bacteria within 24 hours.
💡inhibit means to slow or reduce, not to stop completely. For complete stoppage, use prevent or eliminate.