restricted; restricting; restricts

transitive verb

1
: to confine within bounds : restrain
2
: to place under restrictions as to use or distribution
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
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.
These attempts by insurers to restrict CRNAs' practice underscores the critical need for HHS to enforce the nondiscrimination provision and is why AANA continues its litigation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to compel HHS to enforce the law. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 At the same time, the U.S. has taken measures to restrict China’s access to key technologies, mainly chips like those designed by Nvidia, which are required to train more advanced AI models. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025 Representative Frank Pallone, Democrat of New Jersey, is one of several Democrats who have urged Mr. Biden to restrict drilling. Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025 The legislature also has restricted the type of complaints the body can investigate and limited the commission’s attempts to oversee lawmakers — familiar tactics to impede ethics commissions across the country, according to the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit that has studied the issue. Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for restrict 

Word History

Etymology

Latin restrictus, past participle of restringere

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrict was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near restrict

Cite this Entry

“Restrict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrict. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

More from Merriam-Webster on restrict

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