prohibitive

1 of 2

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

prohibitiveness

2 of 2

noun

pro·​hib·​i·​tive·​ness

-ivnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being prohibitive

Examples of prohibitive in a Sentence

Adjective

the prohibitive cost of rent

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Although not the prohibitive favorite in the SEC, the Tide are still College Football Playoff contenders and are itching for some payback. — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

While some credit unions have prohibitive membership requirements, anyone can join this online institution by becoming a member of the American Consumer Council for free. — Cnbc Select, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Any other year, Mensah would be a prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Even if that was not the case, their asking prices — in most cases — would be prohibitive for KSDS, which is funded largely by the San Diego Community College District and through donations from listeners. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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