Inhibit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Inhibit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of restraining, limiting, or preventing something from occurring. Example: "Certain chemicals can inhibit the growth of bacteria, making them useful in various medical applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oscillating clocks can be put together with a chemical that acts to inhibit its own production, and a second chemical that delays this self-inhibition by a reliable amount.

The Economist

Perhaps this is best illustrated by the bullying behaviours most cited within academic contexts – threats to professional status and obstructive behaviours, designed to inhibit employees achieving their goals.

The Guardian

Not only can caffeine adversely affect your mood and energy levels, it can also inhibit your body's absorption of the beneficial nutrients in food.

The Guardian - Books

Harris has found that people with specific variations of the gene APOBEC3H produce stronger and more stable enzymes which can inhibit the replication of HIV.

The Guardian

It was soon evident that his acquisition was primarily about money, but that didn't inhibit him from having a large say in the pro-Conservative party editorial policy, about which he was candid.

The Guardian

In the event, it was 20 years before the first lines earned more than 5% of their capital outlay, but that did nothing to inhibit their extravagant spending: a mile of Indian railway cost double the same distance in the equally difficult terrain of Canada and Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the time they are studiously moderate, aware of the Thatcherite legal constraints (more are routinely threatened) that inhibit strikes as well as the relentless pressures of globalisation, which can shift production overseas if a domestic labour force is too stroppy or lacks skills.

The Guardian

Such daily demands inhibit the ability of some academics to cope with bullying, and demands cause stress which may lead otherwise rational people to engage in bullying as the spiral of work pressure increases.

The Guardian

There are over 1,000 chemicals in coffee, some of which have credible anti-cancer effects – caffeic acid can inhibit cell pathways involved in tumour growth, and cafestol stimulates antioxidants in the cells to defend themselves against cancer development.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among many other things, it requires the wisdom to swap short-term gain for the hope of more distant reward: the ability to inhibit "your natural tendency to want to reach out and grab the big cake in front of you", as Professor Dunbar puts it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bran is rich in phytates, which inhibit the absorption of iron and zinc in the body.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inhibit", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being restrained or prevented. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "inhibit" to describe the direct actions of people, as it's typically used for processes or functions. For instance, instead of saying "The manager inhibited the employee", consider "The manager restrained the employee".

Linguistic Context

The verb "inhibit" functions primarily to express the action of restraining, hindering, or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English, reflecting its role in denoting a reduction or prevention of an action or process. For example, American sanctions inhibit big oil companies from making investments in Iran.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "inhibit" is a versatile and frequently used term to describe the act of restraining, hindering, or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is correct and usable in a wide variety of contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific and business writing, denoting a neutral to formal register. When using "inhibit", ensure clarity regarding what is being restricted or prevented to enhance the sentence's effectiveness. Consider alternatives like "impede", "restrain", or "hinder" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Impede

Shares a similar meaning of hindering or obstructing progress, but often implies a slower or less complete stoppage.

Restrain

Suggests holding back or controlling an action or feeling.

Hinder

Implies making it difficult for someone or something to do something.

Curb

Suggests controlling or restraining something, often something undesirable.

Suppress

Indicates forcibly putting an end to something.

Obstruct

Implies creating an obstacle or blockage.

Impede the progress

Specifically indicates slowing down or preventing advancement.

Thwart

Means to prevent someone from accomplishing something.

Prevent

Indicates stopping something from happening.

Stifle

Suggests suppressing or restraining something, often creativity or expression.

FAQs

How to use "inhibit" in a sentence?

"Inhibit" is a verb that means to hinder or restrain something. For example, "Certain medications can "inhibit the growth" of bacteria".

What can I say instead of "inhibit"?

You can use alternatives like "impede", "restrain", or "hinder" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inhibit" or "prohibit"?

"Inhibit" means to restrain or slow down, while "prohibit" means to formally forbid something. The choice depends on whether you mean to slow something or completely prevent it.

What's the difference between "inhibit" and "suppress"?

"Inhibit" suggests a partial restraint or slowing down, whereas "suppress" implies a more forceful and complete stopping or ending of something.