inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən 

ˌi-nə-

1

: an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: such as

a

: a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (such as a desire)

b

: a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (such as an enzyme)

2

a

: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b

: something that forbids, debars, or restricts

Synonyms

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint
• suppression

Examples of inhibition in a Sentence

She laughed loudly and without inhibition.

an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling

Recent Examples on the Web

With Natalie Kalmus out of the picture, swatches of Technicolor lost all inhibitions. —Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025

For spring 2025, Mrs. Prada and Raf Simons basically urged everyone to release your inhibitions, feel the rain on your skin! —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025

And how could anyone resist letting go of pesky inhibitions with Herman’s empowering score filling up Pasadena Playhouse with pure effervescence. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024

This could be a time to release these inhibitions and accept new journeys rather than being stuck in old patterns. —Athena Sobhan, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing inhibition

• contact inhibition
• feedback inhibition

Rhymes for inhibition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən 

1

a

: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b

: something that inhibits

2

: an inner force that prevents or makes difficult the free expression of thoughts, emotions, or desires

Medical Definition

inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən 

: the act or an instance of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited: as

a(1)

: a stopping or checking of a bodily action : a restraining of the function of an organ or an agent (as a digestive fluid or enzyme)

inhibition of the heartbeat by stimulation of the vagus nerve

inhibition of plantar reflexes

(2)

: interference with or retardation or prevention of a process or activity

inhibition of bacterial growth

b(1)

: a desirable restraint or check upon the free or spontaneous instincts or impulses of an individual guided or directed by the social and cultural forces of the environment

the self-control so developed is called inhibition

—C. W. Russell

(2)

: a neurotic restraint upon a normal or beneficial impulse or activity caused by psychological inner conflicts or by sociocultural forces of the environment

other outspoken neurotic manifestations are general inhibitions such as inability to think, to concentrate

—Muriel Ivimey

inhibitions, phobias, compulsions, and other neurotic patterns

—Psychological Abstracts