restrictive

adjective

re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The more restrictive one has gotten more attention from advocacy groups. April Rubin, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 Or should the emphasis be on the least restrictive geographies, allowing the most unconstrained exploration of potentially market-changing emerging capabilities? Brian Walker, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Under President Harris, that would probably mean continuity with the Biden administration policies that have become much more restrictive over time. New York Times, 3 Nov. 2024 The state law is currently one of the most restrictive in the country after Roe was overturned. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restrictive 

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrictive was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near restrictive

Cite this Entry

“Restrictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrictive. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

restrictive

adjective
re·​stric·​tive ri-ˈstrik-tiv How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
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 How to pronounce restrictive (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to restriction
b
: serving or tending to restrict
2
: prohibiting further negotiation
restrictively adverb
restrictiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on restrictive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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