inhibiting
Putting the brakes
Inhibiting describes something that holds back, restrains, or suppresses action or development.
A drug may have an inhibiting effect on tumor growth.
Social anxiety has an inhibiting influence on self-expression.
The cold weather was inhibiting our progress.
The word suggests a dampening or blocking force rather than complete prevention.
Placing limits upon
- constrainingImposing limits upon
- limitingPlacing restrictions upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
- hamperingInterfering with progress
hindering · impeding · curtailing · deterring · obstructing · encumbering · fettering · shackling
Forcibly restraining or inhibiting
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- quashingForcibly ending or voiding
- quellingForcibly ending resistance
- smotheringDepriving of air
subduing · dampening · muting · squelching · repressing · silencing · extinguishing · crushing
Control over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
abstinence · prudence · forbearance · reserve · caution · discretion · sobriety · continence
Persistent apprehensive distress
- fearEmotional response to threat
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- self-criticismJudging one's own failings
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
hesitation · apprehension · avoidance · shyness · insecurity · timidity · reluctance · guardedness
Synaptic chemical messenger
- suppressorDevice that inhibits output
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- blockerSomething that obstructs
- antibodyProtein targeting foreign substances
antibiotic · antiviral · sedative · depressant · anesthetic · tranquilizer · SSRI · immunosuppressant
restricting
Placing limits upon
- constrainingImposing limits upon
- limitingPlacing restrictions upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
hampering · hindering · impeding · curtailing · deterring · obstructing · encumbering · fettering · shackling · blocking
suppressing
Forcibly restraining or inhibiting
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- quashingForcibly ending or voiding
- quellingForcibly ending resistance
smothering · subduing · dampening · muting · squelching · repressing · silencing · extinguishing · crushing · throttling
restraint
Control over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
discipline · abstinence · prudence · forbearance · reserve · caution · discretion · sobriety · continence · self-denial
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- fearEmotional response to threat
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- self-criticismJudging one's own failings
overthinking · hesitation · apprehension · avoidance · shyness · insecurity · timidity · reluctance · guardedness · hang-up
neurotransmitter
Synaptic chemical messenger
- suppressorDevice that inhibits output
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- blockerSomething that obstructs
antibody · antibiotic · antiviral · sedative · depressant · anesthetic · tranquilizer · SSRI · immunosuppressant
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- overwhelmingoverwhelming, overpowering, crushing, engulfing, smothering
- silencingsilencing, muting, hushing, shushing, quieting
inhibitingencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
promoting · facilitating · enabling · allowing · permitting
inhibitingliberating
Setting free from constraint
freeing · emboldening · encouraging · disinhibiting · empowering
inhibitingactivating
Causing to function
stimulating · exciting · catalyzing · promoting · inducing
- growth inhibitionBlocking normal development
- lowered inhibitionsDiminished behavioral restraint