prohibitively priced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prohibitively priced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is so expensive that it prevents people from purchasing it. Example: "The new technology is prohibitively priced for most consumers, making it inaccessible to the average buyer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once I started making a regular wage out of music, I graduated to 16 mm., and was relieved to find that it wasn't quite as prohibitively priced as I had previously thought.

The New Yorker

For many of our members and their organisations this is about ensuring they have the right information and professional development opportunities at the right time and not prohibitively priced.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As Gruber notes processing power, memory, and price difference in a Retina-display iPad would create a situation that could prohibitively price the iPad 2 out of the range of even a Macbook Air or even a small island fortress off the coast of Portugal.

TechCrunch

But there's little question that the Yves Béhar-designed premium juicer was priced prohibitively high for the added luxury of juicing at home without all of the extra fibrous byproduct.

TechCrunch

Its prohibitively low prices warded off competition.

The New Yorker

Antares had to charge prohibitively high prices to recoup its investment.

The New Yorker

These same sectors are further undermined by the prohibitively high price of land plots available for industrial, agricultural or commercial use.

The New York Times

Putting a retractable roof over the stadium, another of Hicks's unrealistic ambitions, would cost about $300 million, a prohibitively high price for new owners who already paid more than they intended for the club.

The New York Times - Magazine

With a prohibitively high price tag (The Logic Bolt, one of the world's first projector-enabled mobile phones is $475 in the US, though its release has been highly limited), it's easy to see his point.

Independent

Neymar is the new young star of Brazilian football and Santos have organised a concerted effort to keep him away from European clubs unless they get their prohibitively high price.

Independent

Agreement peaks among the 25-34 agroupoup (65%) who are most likely to be at a stage in life where they want to get on the property ladder, but are excluded by prohibitively high prices.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Prohibitively priced" emphasizes prevention of purchase due to cost, while alternatives like "excessively expensive" simply highlight the high cost.

Common error

Avoid using "prohibitively priced" when describing items that are simply expensive but still within reach for some. This term should be reserved for items that are generally unaffordable to a specific demographic or the average consumer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prohibitively priced" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something whose price is so high that it prevents purchase or access. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prohibitively priced" is used to describe something that is so expensive that it effectively prevents purchase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While relatively rare, it appears in news, science and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates who finds the item or service unaffordable. Consider alternatives such as "unaffordable" or "excessively expensive" to adjust the nuance. Be mindful of the scope of affordability to avoid misrepresentation. The phrase functions as an adjective modifying the noun it describes, serving to emphasize the high cost and its restrictive effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaffordable

This is a shorter, more direct synonym.

excessively expensive

Emphasizes the degree of expensiveness.

out of reach financially

Focuses on the financial inaccessibility.

beyond one's means

Highlights personal financial limitations.

unreasonably costly

Suggests the price is not justified.

astronomically high in price

Uses hyperbole to emphasize the high cost.

costing an arm and a leg

An idiomatic expression for high cost.

steeply priced

Indicates a sharp increase or high level of pricing.

punitive price

Conveys a sense that the price is unfairly high.

not within budget

Simple and direct way to communicate that something is too expensive.

FAQs

What does "prohibitively priced" mean?

The term "prohibitively priced" describes something that is so expensive that it effectively prevents people from buying it. It implies that the price acts as a barrier to purchase.

What can I say instead of "prohibitively priced"?

You can use alternatives like "unaffordable", "excessively expensive", or "out of reach financially" depending on the context.

Is "prohibitively priced" formal or informal?

"Prohibitively priced" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term. It is suitable for use in professional writing, news articles, and academic papers.

How do I use "prohibitively priced" in a sentence?

You can use "prohibitively priced" to describe products, services, or even locations. For example: "The new cancer treatment is "prohibitively priced" for many patients."