inhibit
in-HIB-itverbMeaning to hold back or restrain
Memory hook IN-HIB: shyness HOLDS her IN. Lila knows the answer, but shyness holds her in, and her hand stays down. Shyness inhibits her.
Shyness inhibited Lila from raising her hand, though she knew the answer.
In context Cold weather inhibits the growth of the vines; the grapes stay small and sour until the warm days of late summer.
Similar restrain, suppress, curb, discourage
Opposite encourage, allow, promote
From Latin inhibere, “to hold back”: in + habere (to hold).