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

And all the more surprising given that the Knicks were not the prohibitive East favorite going into the postseason, and were even down 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks after the first three games of their first round series. —John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Removing barriers for non-traditional students like prohibitive costs or complicated admissions and financial aid processes is one way to improve access, said Lane, who helps create the commission’s enrollment reports. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 31 May 2026

Even a small rug can help define a seating area, add color, and make inexpensive patio furniture look more intentional, but the price tag can be cost prohibitive. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 May 2026

Just a few short days ago the prohibitive favored at the Republican State Convention was 12-year former Mayor of New Britain Erin Stewart. —Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 14 May 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