restrict

verb

re·​strict ri-ˈstrikt 

restricted; restricting; restricts

transitive verb

1

: to confine within bounds : restrain

2

: to place under restrictions as to use or distribution

Synonyms

• limit

Choose the Right Synonym for restrict

limit, restrict, circumscribe, confine mean to set bounds for.

limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go.

visits are limited to 30 minutes

restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.

laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press

circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.

the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.

our choices were confined by finances

Examples of restrict in a Sentence

Her eye problem restricts her reading.

She was told to restrict the amount of salt she uses.

The new law restricts smoking in public places.

They have accused the government of trying to restrict free speech.

They say the government is trying to restrict them from speaking out.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump’s pressure campaign on U.S. universities has ranged from slashing billions of dollars in research funding to restricting international students. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 July 2025

The City Council Ethics Committee on Monday advanced an ordinance that restricts when the city’s Law Department can attend investigative interviews and lays out when city attorneys can claim attorney-client privilege to avoid sharing records sought by the inspector general. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump's border czar Tom Homan said the administration would appeal a federal judge's ruling that temporarily blocked immigration detentions based on racial profiling and restricted access to legal counsel for detainees. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025

If developers prevail in using it to seize the reins of local growth management, this new law could make counties and cities more vulnerable to storms, potentially handcuffing local leaders from restricting development in flood plains or on fragile coastlines. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin restrictus, past participle of restringere

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for restrict

• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

restrict

verb

re·​strict ri-ˈstrikt 

1

: to keep within bounds

2

: to place under limits as to use

Legal Definition

restrict

transitive verb

re·​strict

1

: to subject to bounds or limits

restrict the height of buildings

restrict visitation rights

2

: to place under restrictions as to use or distribution

restricted the land to recreational use