prohibitive

adjective

pro·​hib·​i·​tive prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv How to pronounce prohibitive (audio)
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
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.
Under the new bill, three kinds of people will become eligible for an HSA for whom rules had previously been either murky or prohibitive. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 10 July 2025 Keeping more than five outside linebackers would be prohibitive to roster building, so Ojabo very easily could be looking for a new team later this summer. DeFabo: Even though some have speculated that Watt could be traded, that feels unlikely. Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Addressing Digital And Technological Challenges For many small businesses, keeping up with the rapid pace of digital transformation, from e-commerce to data security, can feel overwhelming and financially prohibitive. Ibrahim Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Paul said the biggest thing local cities can do is get rid of obstacles home builders face, such as prohibitive zoning and building regulations that are impediments for builders. Jolene Almendarez, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibitive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!