inhibiting

/ɪnˈhɪb.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪnhˈɪbətɪŋ] /ɪnˈhɪb.ɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪnhˈɪbətɪŋ] /in-ˈhi-bət/ (ame, mw)

inhibiting — verb

  • inhibitingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inhibitings3rd person singular
  • inhibitinging-ing form
  • inhibitingedpast simple

1. to make someone feel too nervous, embarrassed, or self-conscious to act or speak

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make someone feel too nervous, embarrassed, or self-conscious to act or speak freely

例句

Mei felt inhibited by the stern gaze of the interview panel and could barely speak.

passive: be/feel inhibited by [person/situation]

When Arjun's classmates laughed loudly, he became too inhibited to ask questions in class.

inhibited + to-infinitive: too inhibited to ask

同義詞
  • intimidate

    suggests fear rather than embarrassment; implies a power imbalance

  • discourage

    broader — can happen through any means, not just social pressure

  • unnerve

    implies a sudden loss of confidence or courage in the moment

反義詞
  • embolden

    to give someone the courage to act freely

  • encourage

    general opposite — to give support or confidence

文法句型

inhibit + noun

inhibit + someone + from + -ing

be/feel inhibited + by + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive (be/feel inhibited). The cause of the inhibition is typically a social situation, an audience, or another person's presence rather than a physical barrier.

常見錯誤

❌The loud room inhibited me.' (when meaning 'it made me feel shy').
✅The loud room made me feel inhibited.
💡'inhibit' describes the blocking effect on behaviour; use 'feel inhibited' when describing the internal experience of shyness.

2. to slow down, reduce, or block a biological or chemical process so that it does

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to slow down, reduce, or block a biological or chemical process so that it does not continue at its normal rate

例句

The new drug inhibited the growth of cancer cells in all twelve trial patients.

collocation: inhibit growth

Adding a few drops of lemon juice inhibits the enzyme that turns sliced apples brown.

inhibit + [enzyme/chemical process]

同義詞
  • suppress

    suggests stronger, more forceful blocking — often total rather than partial

  • hinder

    implies making something harder or slower but not necessarily stopping it completely

  • impede

    more formal; suggests obstructing progress rather than halting a chemical mechanism

反義詞
  • stimulate

    to increase or speed up biological or chemical activity

  • promote

    to encourage or actively support the development of something

文法句型

inhibit + noun

inhibit + noun + from + -ing

用法筆記

The subject is usually a substance, drug, or environmental condition. This sense is common in scientific and medical writing.

3. to stop or restrict an activity, behaviour, or development, usually through rule

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to stop or restrict an activity, behaviour, or development, usually through rules, laws, or the exercise of authority

例句

Strict zoning laws inhibited the construction of new shops in the old town centre.

collocation: laws/rules inhibit

Ingrid worried that too many safety rules would inhibit her team's creativity.

同義詞
  • prohibit

    implies an official ban with clear consequences for breaking it

  • restrict

    suggests setting limits or boundaries rather than imposing a total ban

  • curb

    implies controlling or reducing something that has become excessive

反義詞
  • permit

    to officially allow an activity

  • authorise

    to give formal permission for something to happen

文法句型

inhibit + noun

inhibit + noun + from + -ing

用法筆記

The subject is often a rule, law, policy, budget, or authority figure. More formal than senses 1 and 2. Distinguish from sense 1: here the restraint is external and institutional, not psychological.