PROHIBITIVE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

prohibitive

adjective

Definition of prohibitive

as in exorbitant

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of prohibitive The cost for any government to manage so much territory is prohibitive. — Gerry Hadden, Christian Science Monitor, 27 July 2026 Because the knives’ large blades caused particularly bloody and gruesome injuries, many state legislatures banned them or imposed prohibitive taxes, the 7th Circuit panel said in its 2-1 decision. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Antonetti insisted that taking on salary would not be prohibitive. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Once known predominantly for projecting educational installations at museums and aquariums, IMAX spent decades trying to break into the mainstream, though its limited network of theatres and analog-only format proved prohibitive for major studios. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibitive

Adjective

As traditional luxury faces consumer resistance to ever-increasing costs, DeMellier offers design, craftsmanship, and value without the exorbitant price tag.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
The young man has garnered immense public support rarely seen for a defendant accused of murder, amid frustration felt by many Americans over exorbitant health insurance costs.

— Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of exorbitant

Adjective

The standard is very low, and that is 'more probable than not' that this child may have been put in an unreasonable risk of harm.

— Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
In such an environment, Fundstrat’s Tom Lee has argued that the S & P 500 can climb to 8,000 over the next few weeks, a level that is not too unreasonable given that the broader index was last trading around 7,750 — only 3% away.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

On top of the repairs needed, Pizarro Santana said his rent keeps increasing, making staying in his shop increasingly unaffordable.

— Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Where college grads can’t find work, where housing is unaffordable for 75% of the population, where families must choose between paying rent or paying doctors bills?

— S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of unaffordable

Adjective

Above and below him on our list sit the two most expensive shot-stoppers of all time, whose big-money moves were followed by contrasting fortunes.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
As luxury becomes both more ubiquitous and more expensive, being desirable without being everywhere could prove a valuable position to hold.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of expensive

Adjective

The site will target low-grade titanium-iron tailings that have been uneconomical to process.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
While attractive due to its proximity to strong local and regional gas markets, exploration for this gas has been sporadic in the basin since the mid-1980s, with experts noting pilot projects were uneconomic, temporarily abandoned or failed.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Definition of uneconomic

Adjective

He was hurt by penalties on the opening drive and a costly third-down drop by Darius Cooper.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Most introduced, nonnative plants do not become invasive, but those that do can cause significant, costly problems for landowners, communities, and land managers.

— Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

Both efforts targeted science and engineering talent, fields where the military has long struggled to fill critical jobs because of steep academic requirements.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
This has led to a shrinking pool of available units at a time when competition is increasingly steep, Zumper found.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of steep

Adjective

Experts recommend weighing luggage, packing TSA-compliant items, and skipping airport currency exchange counters and overpriced shops.

— Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026
However, new money is now buying a yield that’s well below historical highs and closer to a longer-term middle ground, while the P/FFO has wafted to just above 13—not wildly overpriced, but not discount territory either.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of overpriced

Browse Nearby Words

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“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibitive. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of prohibitive

adjective

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