prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv How to pronounce prohibitive (audio)
prə-
Synonyms of prohibitivenext
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.
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 Regrettably, his mother was unable to attend the match in person due to the prohibitive cost of visa fees. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 The cost of attending has become eye-watering at best, prohibitive at worst. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 For Mayor Kevin McCarty, the micro-communities’ surging costs are a frustrating reality of any city building project, but not prohibitive to the goal of housing seniors who are currently living on the street. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for prohibitive

See All Rhymes for prohibitive

Browse Nearby Words

prohibitionist
prohibitive
prohibitive impediment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibitive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prohibitive

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