Define inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) Solution An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a kind of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less likely to generate an action potential. This is due to the binding of neurotransmitters with the postsynaptic receptors, causing the opening of ion channels resulting in hyperpolarization. This causes the firing of an action potential from the postsynaptic cell to be less likely..