PROHIBITIVE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

prohibitive

adjective

Definition of prohibitive

as in exorbitant

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Theoretically, that could still happen — though if Manchester United saw Hall’s likely asking price as prohibitive in the recent window, then the 22-year-old will almost certainly prove unaffordable for them in 2027. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 But legal experts shown the agreement by The Hollywood Reporter say that the prohibitive legal language went far beyond that of a boilerplate NDA. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 This includes the prohibitive cost of total economic decoupling and the catastrophic consequences of potential military conflict. — Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 7 Sep. 2026 The Rams are prohibitive favorites by oddsmakers to win the Super Bowl after Donald rejoined the team Sunday following a two-year retirement. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibitive

Adjective

Prices may seem a little exorbitant, but the portions are more than generous.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
But the annual exorbitant expense is set to spike even higher next year as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration forecasts a $401 million price tag for such deals and verdicts in 2027.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of exorbitant

Adjective

Then there’s the Tesseract, which takes the scooter formula and crams it with an almost unreasonable amount of technology.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
But several individually reasonable events, viewed together and over time, can tell an unreasonable story.

— Shahen Minasyan, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

Samuel Trachtman, a political scientist with the UC Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative, argues that despite recent legislative progress on the housing crisis, state policies are restricting growth and making California more unaffordable.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
The Iraqi capital is blanketed with mechanical cranes building huge apartment complexes, malls and glitzy restaurants – although both the apartments and restaurants are unaffordable for most Iraqis.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of unaffordable

Adjective

Quaise is developing the approach to reach superhot geothermal resources at depths and temperatures where conventional mechanical drilling can become difficult or uneconomical.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner, suspended trade negotiations in August after the administration introduced last-minute demands, which Prime Minister Mark Carney described as uneconomic and unfair.

— JONAS NAHM, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of uneconomic

Adjective

Their expertise helps prevent costly complications and improves the efficiency of our health-care system.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
The fourth concluded with Willis’ second costly lost fumble in two weeks, after Dallas Turner beat Austin Jackson.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

Passengers screamed after spotting the co-pilot stabbing the captain, and the flight from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv began a steep dive.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Offense has been hard to come by for Blashill’s team, so those early holes are steeper compared to others.

— Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of steep

Adjective

Both are sound strategies under the right circumstances, but neither can tell you whether a stock that’s down 30% is cheap, or merely less overpriced.

— byDoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Sep. 2026
Cancer patients are selling their televisions and refrigerators to buy overpriced medication.

— Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of overpriced

Browse Nearby Words

prohibitions

prohibitive

prohibitory

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibitive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prohibitive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes