prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv 

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

The Falcons could snap their streak of eight straight losing seasons and even earn a playoff spot in an NFC South without a prohibitive favorite, but this offseason was mostly about re-establishing a foundation. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 4 May 2026

If a more involved DIY installation sounds prohibitive, Starlink does contract with installers nationwide for a nominal fee. —Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

Flagg was the prohibitive favorite to win Rookie of the Year for most of the season. —Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026

Cost Cost is another prohibitive factor to consider. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prohibitive

• inhibitive

Kids Definition

prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhib-ət-iv 

: likely to discourage use or purchase

prohibitive prices

prohibitively adverb