Exorbitant vs. Prohibitive

Attribute	Exorbitant	Prohibitive
Definition	Exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, especially in amount or extent	Serving or tending to prohibit or forbid something
Cost	Very high or expensive	Preventing or restricting something
Impact	Can refer to excessive or unreasonable prices or charges	Can refer to something that prevents or makes something difficult to do
Usage	Commonly used to describe prices, fees, or charges that are unreasonably high	Commonly used to describe rules, regulations, or conditions that make something difficult or impossible

Definition

Exorbitant and prohibitive are two terms that are often used to describe costs or prices that are considered to be very high. Exorbitant typically refers to something that is unreasonably high or excessive, while prohibitive suggests that the cost is so high that it prevents people from being able to afford it.

Cost

One of the key differences between exorbitant and prohibitive is the level of cost associated with each term. Exorbitant costs may be high, but they are not necessarily out of reach for everyone. On the other hand, prohibitive costs are so high that they act as a barrier, preventing many people from being able to access or afford the product or service in question.

Impact

When something is described as exorbitant, it may still be within the realm of possibility for some individuals or businesses to pay for it, albeit at a high cost. However, when something is deemed prohibitive, it means that the cost is so high that it effectively shuts out a large portion of the population from being able to participate or benefit from it.

Examples

An example of something that might be considered exorbitant could be a luxury car with a price tag of $100,000. While this cost is high, there are still individuals who can afford it and are willing to pay for the prestige and features that come with it. On the other hand, a prohibitive cost might be a life-saving medication that costs $10,000 per dose, making it impossible for many people to access the treatment they need.

Accessibility

Exorbitant costs may limit accessibility to a certain extent, but they do not completely prevent people from being able to obtain the product or service if they are willing and able to pay the price. Prohibitive costs, on the other hand, create a much larger barrier to entry, effectively shutting out a significant portion of the population from being able to afford or access the item in question.

Impact on Society

When costs are exorbitant, they may still contribute to income inequality and disparities in access to resources, but they do not have the same level of detrimental impact on society as prohibitive costs. Prohibitive costs can lead to serious consequences, such as lack of access to essential goods or services, increased poverty, and decreased overall well-being for a large portion of the population.

Regulation

Both exorbitant and prohibitive costs can be subject to regulation by governments or other entities in order to protect consumers and ensure fair access to goods and services. However, prohibitive costs are more likely to be targeted for regulation due to the severe impact they can have on society and the economy as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while exorbitant and prohibitive costs both refer to high prices, there are significant differences between the two terms in terms of accessibility, impact, and regulation. Exorbitant costs may be high, but they are not necessarily out of reach for everyone, while prohibitive costs create a barrier that prevents many people from being able to afford or access the product or service in question.