prohibitive

Also pro·hib·i·to·ry

[proh-hib-i-tiv]

adjective

1. serving or tending to prohibit or forbid something.

   We will discuss some of the discriminatory, prohibitive legislation that was undone by the Civil Rights Act.

2. sufficing to prevent the use, purchase, etc., of something.

   prohibitive prices.

3. having so great a likelihood of success that others vying for the same thing are essentially prevented from succeeding.

   Political analysts are largely in agreement over who the party’s prohibitive nominee is.

prohibitive

/ -trɪ, prəˈhɪbɪtɪv, prəˈhɪbɪtərɪ /

adjective

1. prohibiting or tending to prohibit

2. (esp of prices) tending or designed to discourage sale or purchase

Other Word Forms

• prohibitively adverb
• prohibitiveness noun
• nonprohibitive adjective
• nonprohibitively adverb
• unprohibitive adjective
• unprohibitively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prohibitive¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Medieval Latin prohibitīvus; prohibit, -ive

Example Sentences

"Borders are not prohibitive for them at all. They will exploit any vulnerability," she said.

From BBC

Given the distances, the cost of delivery would be prohibitive for the person ordering, and too much for the outlet providing the food to waive.

From BBC

"For the US to now impose prohibitive tariffs that effectively shut these countries out of the market goes against the very development path it once prescribed," Prof Anner said.

From BBC

For domestic users, the most basic package costs $60 a month - and crucially no prohibitive up-front payment - making solar power more accessible.

From BBC

That Scottie Scheffler is the prohibitive favorite to win the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excessive 
• exorbitant 
• preposterous 
• steep