restrict

verb re·strict \ ri-ˈstrikt \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

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Examples: restrict in a Sentence

Definition of restrict

restricted; restricting; restricts

transitive verb

1 : to confine within bounds : restrain

2 : to place under restrictions as to use or distribution

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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 of restrict from the Web

Such divisions could shift a team’s focus from winning to what the researchers called task-irrelevant cues, like competition and distrust between isolated subgroups, as well as restricted communication of actionable information and advice.

— ben reiter, SI.com, "Why Carlos Beltrán Was the Perfect Addition to Aid the Astros' Journey to the World Series," 9 July 2018
The City Council has said no so far to restricting the hours of operation or limiting the number of breweries allowed.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Santee poised to allow more microbreweries," 3 July 2018
One potential target for the Magic — albeit a difficult target for the Magic to acquire — came off the board Sunday when Toronto Raptors restricted free agent Fred VanVleet agreed to re-sign with the Raptors on a two-year deal.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic agree to 4-year, $84 million deal," 2 July 2018
The meeting illustrates how disputes between the world’s two largest economies extend beyond U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to slap tariffs on Chinese goods and restrict the country’s investments.

— Time, "Xi Jinping Warns U.S. That China Won't Surrender ‘One Inch’ of Territory," 28 June 2018
The meeting illustrates how disputes between the world’s two largest economies extend beyond U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to slap tariffs on Chinese goods and restrict the country’s investments.

— Bloomberg.com, "Xi Warns Mattis China Won’t Surrender ‘One Inch’ of Territory," 28 June 2018
Cities are grappling with how, or if, to regulate or restrict the use of accessory apartments as vacation homes.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska cities, facing housing crunch, encourage backyard cottages and apartment additions," 27 June 2018
That fight left Republicans, such as Gov. John Kasich, wary of restricting union rights through right-to-work legislation.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "This U.S. Supreme Court decision might have forced Ohio into 'right-to-work'," 27 June 2018
The Intellectual Property Law Professors group cautioned the justices to tread lightly when restricting speech.

— mark alesia, Indianapolis Star, "FanDuel, DraftKings under microscope in state Supreme Court case being watched nationally," 27 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of restrict

Latin restrictus, past participle of restringere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1535

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

restrict Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.