inhibitory
Prevents or restrains
Inhibitory describes something that inhibits—that restrains, blocks, or suppresses activity.
The term appears most often in scientific contexts: inhibitory neurons reduce the firing of other neurons, inhibitory signals slow or stop biological processes.
The word contrasts with excitatory, which promotes rather than suppresses activity.
Synaptic chemical messenger
- GABAInhibitory brain neurotransmitter
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
dendrite · neuron · glutamate · acetylcholine · potentiation · plasticity · antagonist · presynaptic
Control over impulses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- curbRaised road margin
- checkOrder to pay
hindrance · blockade · containment · interdiction · embargo · moratorium · deterrent · impediment
Measure preventing disease or harm
- preventiveMeant to stop trouble
- protectiveServing to guard
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
shield · defensive · blocking · neutralizing · counteracting · suppressive · antiviral · antimicrobial
Unconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
- defenseProtection against harm
unconscious · Freudian · psychoanalysis · projection · displacement · rationalization · anxiety · self-censorship
Careful to avoid risk
- hesitantSlow to act
- reservedRestrained in manner
- restrainedHeld under control
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
guarded · tentative · self-controlled · risk-averse · circumspect · withdrawn · timid · avoidant
neurotransmitter
Synaptic chemical messenger
- GABAInhibitory brain neurotransmitter
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
axon · dendrite · neuron · glutamate · acetylcholine · potentiation · plasticity · antagonist · presynaptic · interneuron
restraint
Control over impulses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- curbRaised road margin
check · hindrance · blockade · containment · interdiction · embargo · moratorium · deterrent · impediment · obstacle
prophylactic
Measure preventing disease or harm
- preventiveMeant to stop trouble
- protectiveServing to guard
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
barrier · shield · defensive · blocking · neutralizing · counteracting · suppressive · antiviral · antimicrobial · antiseptic
repression
Unconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
defense · unconscious · Freudian · psychoanalysis · projection · displacement · rationalization · anxiety · self-censorship · avoidance
cautious
Careful to avoid risk
- hesitantSlow to act
- reservedRestrained in manner
- restrainedHeld under control
reticent · guarded · tentative · self-controlled · risk-averse · circumspect · withdrawn · timid · avoidant · shy
- neuro termsneural, neuronal, cerebral, cortical, synaptic
- Neurochemistrydopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine
- Neurophysiologyneuron, action potential, neurotransmitter, nerve impulse, presynaptic
- Neurotransmissionsynapse, neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin
- hostile attitudeshostile, aggressive, combative, belligerent, adversarial
- Biocidesbiocide, biocidal, germicide, germicidal, disinfectant
inhibitoryexcitatory
Promoting neural activation
permissive · facilitative · activating · facilitating · promoting
- rust inhibitorSubstance preventing metal oxidation
- TNF inhibitorsDrugs blocking inflammatory protein
- inhibitory controlSuppressing prepotent responses
- COX inhibitorEnzyme-blocking pain reliever
- aromatase inhibitorsEnzyme-blocking hormonal medications
- PCSK9 inhibitorsDrugs preventing LDL receptor breakdown