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

Many boarding schools already charge tuition fees between $600 and $800, prohibitive for the working class in a country where most civil servants make less than a $300 per month. —Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

However, these tests must be done in medical settings, which can be prohibitive and expensive. —Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025

If a more involved DIY installation sounds prohibitive, Starlink does contract with installers nationwide for a nominal fee. —PC Magazine, 21 May 2025

The Celtics are expected to make changes to their championship-winning roster this summer to cut payroll and attempt to avoid the worst of the NBA’s prohibitive luxury tax penalties. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 17 May 2025

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