restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to restriction
b
: serving or tending to restrict
restrictive regulations
2
: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase
3
: prohibiting further negotiation
restrictive noun
restrictively adverb
restrictiveness noun

Did you know?

Restrictive covenants (that is, agreements) in real-estate deeds were once used to forbid the buyer from ever selling the property to anyone of another race. These are now illegal, though other kinds of restrictive covenants are very common; in some neighborhoods, they may even tell you what colors you can't paint your house. In grammar, a restrictive clause is one that limits the meaning of something that comes before it. In the sentence "That's the professor who I'm trying to avoid", "who I'm trying to avoid" is a restrictive clause, since it's what identifies the professor. But in the sentence "That's my History professor, who I'm trying to avoid", the same clause is nonrestrictive, since the professor has already been identified as "my History professor". There should always be a comma before a nonrestrictive clause, but not before a restrictive clause.

Examples of restrictive in a Sentence

In the sentence “The book that you ordered is out of print,” “that you ordered” is a restrictive clause.
Recent Examples on the Web The open back, crisscross straps, and removable soft cups feel comfortable and supportive without being too tight or restrictive. Bianca Lambert, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Their friends the fast-food and short-order cooks are about as likely to require no education at all, but dishwashers bubble up to the top by notching a huge number in an even more restrictive category: jobs that don’t require education or literacy to be performed well. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 An opening has now emerged for an extremely restrictive medical program to gain support from Senate leadership. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 This creative freedom can particularly empower neurodiverse students, who may find traditional academic settings restrictive. Jennifer "jay" Palumbo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Experts meanwhile are closely watching states that already have restrictive reproductive care policies in place. Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 Some counties have restrictive sound limits for wind turbines Another impediment involves noise limits. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Promising research investments can stall due to, for example, restrictive data use agreements, intellectual property barriers, or uncertain regulatory terrain. Anna Chu, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 This contrasts with the more restrictive and complex funding formulas of states like New York and Washington. Christian Barnard, Orange County Register, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restrictive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrictive was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near restrictive

Cite this Entry

“Restrictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrictive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

restrictive

adjective
re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
1
: serving or likely to restrict
2
: limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase
restrictive noun
restrictively adverb
restrictiveness noun

Legal Definition

restrictive

adjective
re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to restriction
b
: serving or tending to restrict
2
: prohibiting further negotiation
restrictively adverb
restrictiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on restrictive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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