1. something which stops something from happening
Professional
Social
prohibitive cost
Something which is described as prohibitive is a law, rule or fact that prevents someone from doing or achieving something. "Prohibitive laws are preventing new businesses from opening." "The prohibitive nature of the software stops children from accessing inappropriate material." we also use the word prohibitive when we talk about the cost or price of something affecting people's access to a product or service. "The subscription costs would likely make this product prohibitive to most families." "The cost of going to university is prohibitive to many young people." This adjective is more likely to be used in formal speech or written English.