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

The 1984 rodeo made a profit of $23,000, but administrators cited additional and prohibitive costs as the reason for discontinuing future rodeos. —Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026

While diplomatic efforts are underway, shipping insurance remains at prohibitive levels. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 6 May 2026

Carrying four quarterbacks would then become prohibitive. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 4 May 2026

If a more involved DIY installation sounds prohibitive, Starlink does contract with installers nationwide for a nominal fee. —Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 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