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
Batteries make any home more independent from the grid, but here’s the catch: The cost can be prohibitive.
—
Andrew Carpenter, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
Even if those calculations favor a heat pump, the upfront cost of switching can be prohibitive.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The expense of leasing property before completing the time-consuming process of obtaining a license could be prohibitive, Lowery said.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Having already won the World Series last year rather easily over the Yankees (who have the fourth-highest 2025 payroll), the Dodgers are prohibitive favorites to win the NL again, with the Braves, Phillies and Mets (all with high payrolls) contesting.
—Paul Bledsoe, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibitive
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Andrew Carpenter, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
Even if those calculations favor a heat pump, the upfront cost of switching can be prohibitive.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
The expense of leasing property before completing the time-consuming process of obtaining a license could be prohibitive, Lowery said.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Having already won the World Series last year rather easily over the Yankees (who have the fourth-highest 2025 payroll), the Dodgers are prohibitive favorites to win the NL again, with the Braves, Phillies and Mets (all with high payrolls) contesting.
—Paul Bledsoe, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibitive
Cite this Entry
“Prohibitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibitive. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prohibitive
adjective
pro·hib·i·tive
prō-ˈhib-ət-iv
: likely to discourage use or purchase
prohibitive prices
prohibitively
adverb
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