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

The tipping point came last week, Worsham said, when the Food and Drug Administration put limits on who's eligible for the fall COVID shot, restricting approval to people who are 65 or older or have other health problems that put them at risk. —Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025

The group agreed to advocate for device-free schools, delay buying phones for their kids for as long as possible, and restrict social media until late adolescence. —Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

While 77% of companies either encourage or don’t restrict AI use, adoption varies dramatically across where people sit in the org chart. —Brad Rencher, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

But for a few high-profile flashpoints, however, debate about the Americans’ suitability has largely remained restricted to the internet rather than the match-going fans. —Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 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