Inhibitory: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ›‘
Add to dictionary

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?

arrow down
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?

arrow down
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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "inhibitory" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น inibitรณrio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคตเคฐเฅ‹เคงเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช hemmend

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ inhibitor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะฝะณั–ะฑั–ั‚ะพั€ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ hamujฤ…cy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆŠ‘ๅˆถ็š„ (yokuseiteki)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท inhibiteur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ inhibidor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท inhibitรถr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์–ต์ œ์ œ (eokjeje)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุซุจุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inhibiฤnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ inhibiฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆŠ‘ๅˆถ็š„ (yรฌzhรฌ de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ inhibitoren

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hindrandi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะตะถะตะณั–ัˆ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒœแƒฐแƒ˜แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒขแƒแƒ แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inhibitor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ inhibidor

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.