Prohibitive
Adj. tending to prevent or discourage action by being excessively expensive, difficult, or restrictive.
adjectiveProhibitive
Adj. tending to prevent or discourage action by being excessively expensive, difficult, or restrictive.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine planning a weekend trip, but the park charges a price so high that only a few wealthy visitors can afford the entry—this is prohibitive, turning others away.
Sounds Like
pruh-HIB-uh-tiv
Looks Like
Looks like 'prohibit' + 'ive'; visually related to 'prohibition'.
Remember This
Originates from Latin prohibitivus, from prohibere 'to forbid'; describes costs or rules that effectively bar entry or participation.
Other Forms
Connect With
forbid, deter, hinder; exorbitant, unaffordable, barrier to entry; restrictive
Note
Tip: Prohibitive emphasizes a barrier that prevents action, not merely something that is merely restrictive. Distinguish from 'preventive' (prevents harm) and 'restrictive' (simply limiting).
Study Deeper
- The tuition is prohibitive for most students.
- Access to the grant was blocked by prohibitive eligibility rules.
From Latin prohibitivus, from prohibere 'to forbid'.
Prohibitive = PROHIBIT + IVE. To remember, think of a price tag that wants to prohibit your entry; the higher it is, the more prohibitive it becomes.
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