prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv How to pronounce prohibitive (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And based on the structure of the contract, that would virtually lock in Murray through the 2027 season, since releasing him in 2027 would be cost prohibitive. Jeff Howe, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025 The first four teams in girls Division 3 advance and while Cathedral Catholic and La Costa Canyon are prohibitive favorites to move on, the other two spots are up for grabs. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025 Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced nightly water cuts nationwide and called on residents to install home water storage systems, while acknowledging costs may be prohibitive for many. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 Vocational and trade programs are booming, federal data shows, and one reason is a perception that blue-collar jobs pay well, and that college costs are becoming prohibitive. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prohibitive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prohibitive was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibitive. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

prohibitive

adjective
pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhib-ət-iv How to pronounce prohibitive (audio)
: likely to discourage use or purchase
prohibitive prices
prohibitively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibitive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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