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Inhibitory Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inhibitory

[ษชnหˆhษชbษชtษ™ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in biology

Inhibitory refers to the ability to inhibit or prevent a particular process or activity.

Synonyms

limiting, restraining, suppressing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inhibitory

Also used in psychological or legal contexts to describe measures or actions that hold back certain behaviors or actions.

  • Inhibitory control is a key aspect of cognitive development in children
restraining

Typically used in legal, social, or emotional scenarios to describe holding back or controlling force, behavior, or feelings.

  • The police had to take restraining measures to control the crowd
limiting

Generally used in any context where there is a restriction or cap on quantity, growth, possibilities, or activities.

  • The number of participants was limiting the effectiveness of the program
suppressing

Often used in contexts involving forcefully putting an end to something, like movement, speech, or emotions. Can have a negative connotation.

  • The regime was suppressing free speech among its citizens

Examples of usage

  • The inhibitory effect of the drug on the enzyme activity was significant.
  • The inhibitory neurotransmitters regulate the firing of neurons in the brain.
Context #2 | Noun

in pharmacology

Inhibitory is a substance that reduces or blocks the activity of a particular enzyme or process.

Synonyms

antagonist, blocker, inhibitor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inhibitory

Best used to describe something that slows down or prevents a process, often in a biological or psychological context.

  • The inhibitory effects of the drug prevented the symptoms from worsening
  • The neurotransmitter had an inhibitory influence on the neurons
blocker

Frequently used in a medical or technical context to describe something that prevents a specific action or process.

  • The calcium channel blocker helped to lower the patient's blood pressure
  • A pop-up blocker can help reduce unwanted ads on the internet
inhibitor

Typically used in scientific and technical fields, particularly chemistry and biology, to describe a substance that slows down or stops a particular reaction or process.

  • The enzyme inhibitor prevented the reaction from proceeding
  • Researchers tested various inhibitors to find the most effective one
antagonist

Commonly used in both pharmacology to describe a substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another, and in literature to describe a character who opposes the protagonist.

  • In the novel, the antagonist plotted against the hero
  • The medication acts as an antagonist to the receptor, reducing its effect

Examples of usage

  • The researchers discovered a new inhibitory compound that could be used in cancer treatment.
  • The drug acts as an inhibitory on the growth of bacteria.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, inhibitory neurotransmitters help regulate brain activity by preventing signals from firing too easily.
  • The balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain is crucial for emotional regulation.
  • In pharmacology, inhibitory drugs play a key role in treating conditions like anxiety and seizures by dampening excessive nerve activity.

Psychology

  • Cognitive inhibition is the ability to suppress thoughts or memories that are not relevant to the task at hand.
  • Inhibitory control is a fundamental skill in childhood development, allowing children to manage impulses and make better decisions.
  • Inhibition can affect motivation, where a lack of control may lead to impulsive behavior or procrastination.

Education

  • In learning environments, inhibitory strategies help manage classroom behavior, keeping students focused.
  • Teaching methods that encourage reflective thinking often rely on techniques that inhibit impulsive answers, promoting deeper learning.
  • Inhibitory techniques in educational psychology can enhance memory retention by limiting distractions during study sessions.

Health

  • Inhibitory responses in the immune system help prevent overreactions like allergies or autoimmune diseases.
  • Regular exercise can enhance inhibitory control, improving mental resilience and focus.
  • Meditation is known to strengthen the brain's inhibitory functions, promoting a calmer mental state.

Origin of 'inhibitory'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'inhibitorius', which means 'to hold back' or 'to restrain'.
  • It combines 'in-', meaning 'not', with 'habere', which means 'to have'.
  • The usage of this term evolved around the 17th century as a way to describe processes in science and psychology.

The word 'inhibitory' originated from the Latin word 'inhibere', which means 'to restrain or hinder'. It first appeared in English in the mid-17th century. The concept of inhibition has been widely studied in various fields such as biology, pharmacology, and psychology, highlighting its importance in regulating processes and activities.

See also: inhibit, inhibition, inhibitor, uninhibited, uninhibitedly, uninhibitedness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,336, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.