restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

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 restrictive laws alone affect nearly half of all Americans in that age group. —Clara Ence Morse, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

Airlines, hotels and other travel companies sometimes have restrictive cancellation policies that limit the refunds you’re entitled to. —USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

This approach also helps veer away from a restrictive mindset. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024

Biden allies are aiming to make reproductive rights important in 2024, too, including through a new swing state ad that links Trump to -- and blames him for -- the growing number of restrictive abortions bans in recent years. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Until Monday's ruling, Florida has been viewed as a southern safe haven for abortions, since the current 15-week ban in place is less restrictive than bans in neighboring states like Georgia, where the procedure is also banned at six weeks. —Shawna Mizelle, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024

However, while the state’s more restrictive six-week ban is expected to go into effect soon, voters could choose to overturn it in November. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024

The effects of self-censorship could also ripple out from Hong Kong to the wider world, Wear said, noting that Western galleries and other arts organizations have rarely contended with restrictive laws of this kind in an art market as big as Hong Kong’s. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024

Children following a restrictive diet due to medical or religious reasons: If your child omits certain foods for medical or religious reasons, a protein supplement can be a useful way to increase their intake. —Tamar Kane, Ms, Rd, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing restrictive

• restrictive clause

Kids Definition

restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv 

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 

1

a

: of or relating to restriction

b

: serving or tending to restrict

2

: prohibiting further negotiation

restrictively adverb

restrictiveness noun