verbUpper-intermediate

inhibit

US

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

UK

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

Meaning

To make someone or something less able or likely to act, develop, or express itself freely.

किसी व्यक्ति या चीज़ की क्षमता, विकास या खुलकर काम करने की संभावना को कम या सीमित करना।

Examples

“Fear of making mistakes can inhibit students from asking questions.”

inhibit someone from doing somethingUsed when fear holds back an action.

“The new rules may inhibit small businesses from expanding.”

inhibit someone from doing somethingUsed when a condition makes an action more difficult.

“The inhibition she felt in large groups gradually disappeared.”

inhibitionNoun form describing a feeling that holds someone back.

Useful patterns

inhibit someone from doing somethinginhibit growth or developmentinhibit the ability to do somethinginhibit expressioninhibit a response

Word toolkit

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Word family

inhibition(noun)
inhibitor(noun)
inhibitory(adjective)

Common collocations

inhibit growthinhibit developmentinhibit progressinhibit someone's abilityinhibit free expressioninhibit a responseinhibit someone from speaking

Common mistakes

Not natural: The strict rules inhibit employees to share ideas.

Better: The strict rules inhibit employees from sharing ideas.

Use 'inhibit someone from doing something'; do not use 'to' before the action.

'Inhibit someone from doing something' सही structure है। Action से पहले 'to' नहीं, 'from' के बाद -ing form इस्तेमाल करें।

Not natural: The law inhibits people from parking here.

Better: The law prohibits people from parking here.

Use 'prohibit' when a rule formally forbids an action. 'Inhibit' usually means to hold back or reduce an ability, action, or development.

किसी नियम के तहत किसी काम को मना करने के लिए 'prohibit' इस्तेमाल करें। 'Inhibit' का मतलब आमतौर पर किसी काम, क्षमता या विकास को रोकना या कम करना होता है।

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Learner tip

Use 'inhibit' for something that holds back an action or development; use 'prohibit' when a rule officially forbids it.

'Inhibit' उस चीज़ के लिए इस्तेमाल करें जो किसी काम या विकास को रोकती या कम करती है; नियम के तहत किसी काम पर पाबंदी हो तो 'prohibit' कहें।

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Quick quiz

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One answer

A student knows the answer but is afraid of being laughed at, so she stays quiet. What is most likely inhibiting her?

एक student को answer पता है, लेकिन उसे हँसी उड़ाए जाने का डर है, इसलिए वह चुप रहती है। उसे सबसे ज़्यादा क्या रोक रहा है?