restrictive

play

adjective re·stric·tive \ri-ˈstrik-tiv\

Definition of restrictive

1a : of or relating to restrictionb : 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

See restrictive defined for English-language learners

See restrictive defined for kids

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 of restrictive from the Web

By our count, 39 of the world’s 153 low- and middle-income countries enacted restrictive funding laws between 1993 and 2012, targeting NGOs operating in-country with foreign funding.

— kendra dupuy, Washington Post, "Across the globe, governments are cracking down on civic organizations. This is why.", 5 July 2017
But most secretaries of state and bodies in charge of elections data are Republican, and many have issued their own restrictive voter rules in the post-Shelby County v. Holder voting rights landscape and are in favor of the commission’s work.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "Trump's Voter-Fraud Commission Makes Its First Move", 30 June 2017
The working group also would like to make sure conferences don’t have policies that would be more restrictive than NCAA transfer rules, which is a good idea.

— george schroeder, The Courier-Journal, "NCAA proposal would stop schools, coaches from holding transfers hostage", 28 June 2017
Beach commissioners had given initial approval to regulations allowing one dispensary in each of the city’s main sections (South, Middle and North Beach) with restrictive zoning allowing such businesses to open only in certain commercial areas.

— joey flechas and lance dixon, miamiherald, "State law invalidated Miami Beach’s proposed medical marijuana zoning; now what?", 28 June 2017
While Uber and Airbnb exploded in the gray areas in regulations that governed taxis and hotels, Bridge had trouble operating within the thicket of complicated, restrictive Kenyan education regulations. ‘‘

— peg tyre, New York Times, "Can a Tech Start-Up Successfully Educate Children in the Developing World?", 27 June 2017
Under a restrictive covenant, the Friary site must be used for public housing.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "'Affordable' housing is coming to East Liberty", 26 June 2017
Obamacare remains law, there’s been little progress on overhauling the nation’s tax system, and there’s a distinct possibility trade will become more restrictive, counter to the Koch preference for free markets.

— john mccormick, Bloomberg.com, "Koch Group Says Republican Health Plan Doesn't Go Far Enough", 24 June 2017
He was placed in short-term, restrictive housing, officials said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2 officers hurt during inmate attack at Donovan state prison", 23 June 2017

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.

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.

First Known Use of restrictive

1579

RESTRICTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

restrictive

play

adjective

Definition of restrictive for English Language Learners

: limiting or controlling someone or something
grammar of a word or group of words : giving information about a person or thing that is needed to understand which person or thing is meant