⛔ Automatically stopped 😶 Emotionally restrained 🧬 Self-blocked molecule

autoinhibited

9.4

Unable to show feelings because of strong inner control

adjective
/ˌɔːtoʊɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/

: autoinhibido

She became autoinhibited after years of being told not to show her emotions.

Examples

People who are autoinhibited may struggle to express their true feelings in public.
His autoinhibited nature made it difficult for him to participate in group discussions.
She felt autoinhibited during the interview.
Many people become autoinhibited in social situations.
Her autoinhibited behavior made it challenging for her to connect with new friends.
Being autoinhibited, he often missed opportunities to share his ideas in meetings.
Many individuals feel autoinhibited in unfamiliar settings, leading to silence when they want to speak.

Synonyms

self-conscious

vsautoinhibited

62 4.6

Feeling nervous because you think others are watching or judging you

is unable to show feelings because strong inner control prevents expression

Antonyms

expressive

39 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

uninhibited

14 6.9

Expressing feelings and thoughts freely without embarrassment

How Inhibited

autoinhibited

9.4

inhibited

12 6.0

reserved

29 3.7

uninhibited

14 6.9

Surface Forms

autoinhibited positive

Morphology

autoinhibited = inhibited (semi-transparent) = auto + inhibit + ed

The self-control meaning is understandable from auto- + inhibited, but the psychological nuance is somewhat figurative.

Etymology

Autoinhibited comes from auto- ('self') and inhibit ('to hold back'), the same auto- in automatic. So, it means a person who 'holds themselves back' and finds it hard to show their feelings.