Any process in which the symbiont stops, prevents or reduces its progression from an initial condition to a later condition, within the cells or tissues of the host organism. The host is defined as the larger of the organisms involved in the symbiotic interaction.
Comment:
This term partially replaces the obsolete term 'negative regulation of growth or development of symbiont in host ; GO:0033667'. See also 'negative regulation of growth of symbiont in host ; GO:0044130'.