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 prohibitive costs of designer dorms, of course, mean that wealthy students are at an advantage. — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 28 Sep. 2026 The measure is designed not to eliminate environmental protections but to counter the bureaucratic delays and lengthy lawsuits that slow development projects in the state and drive up construction costs to often prohibitive levels, backers say. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Preventive maintenance at a scale that was previously cost-prohibitive. — Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Skechers Endeavour Sneaker If a $300 price tag is a bit prohibitive to you right now, here’s a wallet-sparing alternative, in the form of the Skechers Endeavour. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prohibitive

Adjective

Now Trump wants to fund Putin’s war machine in exchange for diesel fuel, which is in short supply and now comes at an exorbitant cost.

— Kevin Igoe, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
While that system didn’t require up-front game purchases, the initial pricing was exorbitant, rising to $30 for 90 days of real-time streaming access, even for games that could be purchased outright on disc for less.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of exorbitant

Adjective

On the surface, paying as low as 24 cents for an hour of streaming game time doesn’t sound completely unreasonable.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
If Putin rejects the framework — or, more likely, demands unreasonable changes — then the world will at least know who blocked the fledgling peace effort.

— David Ignatius, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unreasonable

Adjective

Lamont holds double-digit leads in recent polls over GOP gubernatorial challenger Ryan Fazio, who has centered his campaign on charges the governor has allowed Connecticut to become unaffordable for many households.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
One of the biggest examples of how things are unaffordable is health care.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unaffordable

Adjective

They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expensive

Adjective

Waiting months for a store to be completed — just as customers may wait a year for an individual piece — is an anti-efficiency stance that looks uneconomic on paper but has become one of the brand’s strongest competitive advantages.

— Li Jun, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of uneconomic

Adjective

Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Both player's made birdies at the 17th, but a costly miss for Ryu at the 18th allowed Yoshida to clinch it, despite the Japanese golfer also making bogey.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of costly

Adjective

Republican candidates are expected to praise the president, and try to ensure Republicans steep voter registration advantage translates to votes on Election Day November 3.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
The hiking area is extremely dangerous and known for steep inclines, loose gravel and falling rocks, according to the Italian Alpine Rescue unit, which told CNN that more than 80 people died in the Dolomites in 2026 so far.

— Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of steep

Adjective

Lin did exactly what Netflix asked, steering away from overpriced $200 million-plus, non-downstream features like Red Notice, The Irishman and The Electric State.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
If the finger felt like a gimmick, so did the overpriced drinks — in every city and at every stop.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of overpriced

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“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prohibitive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prohibitive

adjective

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