prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv 

prə-

1

: tending to prohibit or restrain

2

: tending to preclude use or purchase

prohibitive costs

3

: almost certain to perform as predicted

a prohibitive favorite

prohibitively adverb

prohibitiveness noun

Examples of prohibitive in a Sentence

the prohibitive cost of rent

Recent Examples on the Web

In my experience, the number one reason people back away from bridge financing is prohibitive expenses. —Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Cost compared to Western Europe or North America For many patients from the UK, Europe or the US, the price of a high-quality hair transplant at home can be prohibitive. —Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

His wife has looked for remote jobs, but can't work in person anywhere because the cost of child care is prohibitive. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Malinin stands as the prohibitive favorite. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prohibitive

• inhibitive

Kids Definition

prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhib-ət-iv 

: likely to discourage use or purchase

prohibitive prices

prohibitively adverb