restrictive

adjective

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re·stric·tive | \ ri-ˈstrik-tiv

Definition of restrictive

1a : 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

Other Words from restrictive Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About restrictive

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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 brief from the providers comes after the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision declined to block a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is the nation's most restrictive measure involving the procedure. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2021 The bill was replaced with a restrictive set of laws called the Black Codes. — Anthony Copeman, Essence, 13 Sep. 2021 Some are deterred at the prospect of returning home by restrictive and expensive quarantine measures, while others can't secure a plane ticket home at all. — Britt Clennett, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2021 Critics said Newsom was too slow to reopen industries or too restrictive in closures of churches and schools. — Lauryn Schroeder, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2021 Few major companies have come out with full-throated praise of the Texas law, which is among the most restrictive in the country. — Arielle Pardes, Wired, 9 Sep. 2021 Plugging in a set of less restrictive variables suggested the virus would infect about a quarter of the student body by the end of the term. — Douglas Belkin, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2021 Since more restrictive fencing came down around the Capitol in July, 13 people and groups have asked for access to area 1 -- the area in front of the Western front of the building -- where Mahoney wanted to pray. — Katelyn Polantz, Cnn Reporter, CNN, 9 Sep. 2021 The Texas law is the most restrictive enacted since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. — Rick Rouan, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restrictive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.