Inibir

Inibir is a Portuguese verb meaning to impede, inhibit, suppress, or restrain. It is used to describe reducing the likelihood of an action, dampening a reaction, or deterring certain behaviors. The verb is transitive, so it typically takes a direct object (inibir alguém, inibir algo). It can also be used reflexively as ininibir-se, to describe feeling inhibited or self‑conscious.

Etymology and related forms: Inibir comes from Latin inibire, formed with the prefix in- plus hibēre (to hold). It gives rise to related nouns such as inibição (inhibition) and inibidor (inhibitor). The adjective inhibitory appears in scientific contexts as inibitório in Brazilian Portuguese.

Usage and nuances: In everyday language, inibir refers to restraining actions or discouraging conduct, for example, “A presença de regras pode inibir a criatividade.” In scientific and medical contexts, it denotes blocking a biochemical process or enzyme activity, as in “um inibidor de enzima.” It is also used in psychology and social behavior to describe suppression of impulsos or expressions, such as “inibir impulsos.” In policy or law, to inibir práticas abusivas means to deter or curb abusive practices.

Conjugation (illustrative forms): As a regular -ir verb, it follows typical patterns. Present: eu inibo, tu inibes, ele inibe, nós inibimos, vós inibis, eles inibem. Preterite: eu inibi, tu inibiste, ele inibiu, nós inibimos, eles inibiram. Subjunctive: que eu iniba, que tu inibas, que ele iniba, que nós inibamos, que eles inibam. Reflexive use: ele inibiu-se diante da multidão.

See also: inibição, inibidor, inibitório.