restrict

verb

re·​strict ri-ˈstrikt 

restricted; restricting; restricts

transitive verb

1

: to confine within bounds : restrain

restricted the children to the backyard.

Damage was restricted to the rear of the building.

2

: to place under restrictions as to use or distribution

restricts himself to one cup of coffee

claim that the government is restricting their speech

Synonyms of restrict

• 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

Those opportunities will now be restricted. —Andy Mitten, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

In Nigeria, for example, states like Borno, Zamfara, and parts of Kaduna and Katsina have experienced ongoing insecurity due to armed insurgent groups and banditry, which can restrict or delay vaccination campaigns. —Dr. Tunji Funsho, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

These include executive orders and regulatory changes to enforce immigration laws more strictly, pause or restrict refugee resettlement, reinstate rapid-expulsion policies like Title 42, expedite deportations, and increase border barrier construction. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Beijing also announced an unprecedented licensing regime to restrict the export of certain rare earths, which disrupted global productions of automobiles among others. —John Liu, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin restrictus, past participle of restringere

First Known Use

14th century, 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