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

Companies have varying approaches, with some more restrictive on what’s an acceptable match. —Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025

Pollsters noted that generally, voter sentiment has shifted toward more restrictive immigration policies since January 2018. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

The big picture: There's a standard playbook for how to do hiring, firing and cuts in the federal government, which is more restrictive than in the private sector, in order to protect the civil service from corruption and politicization. —Emily Peck, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

Legalizing marijuana could have significant economic benefits for Texas, as seen in neighboring states like New Mexico, where dispensaries near the Texas border capitalize on the state’s restrictive laws1. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

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