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

Losing these traits and evolving ocean adaptations again might present a prohibitive cost of time and energy. —Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026

As in what Spoelstra perceives as a two-man race between Adebayo and prohibitive favorite Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs 7-foot-5 human backstop. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

The city protects existing water mains and bridges because replacement costs are prohibitive. —Rafael Leon, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

But while moving locations every year may be cost-prohibitive at this point, themes don’t cost anything! —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 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