inhibitions

Self-imposed mental barriers

Inhibitions are internal restraints that hold you back from acting on impulses or expressing yourself freely.

The word usually appears in contexts about overcoming them: alcohol lowers inhibitions, therapy helps people work through their inhibitions, dancing requires letting go of inhibitions.

Someone described as having no inhibitions acts without self-consciousness or social restraint.

The singular inhibition can describe a specific block: an inhibition about public speaking.

restraint

self-control

Ability to restrain impulses

repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
willpowerMental strength resisting impulse

discipline · moderation · temperance · constraint · containment · regulation · curtailment · limitation · abstinence · sobriety

self-conscious

awkward

Lacking grace or ease

embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
uncomfortableCausing unease or distress

insecure · nervous · vulnerable · exposed · blushing · uneasy · self-doubt · overthinking · self-critical · self-aware

caution

hesitant

Slow to act

tentativeUncertain and provisional
waryGuardedly alert
guardedWary and restrained

apprehensive · reluctant · circumspect · careful · risk-averse · overcautious · second-guessing · reticence · trepidation · wariness

shyness

timid

Lacking courage or confidence

bashfulUncomfortably self-conscious
reservedRestrained in manner
reticentDisinclined to speak freely

withdrawn · diffident · meek · demure · wallflower · introverted · mousy · self-effacing · shrinking · unassertive

inhibitions

self-control

awkward

hesitant

timid

inhibitions

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

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