restrictive

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Placing limits on what people may do, choose or have, often in a way that feels too tight.

   Grammar: Can come before a noun or after be: restrictive rules, the rules are restrictive.

   Patterns

   • restrictive rules
   • be restrictive about something

   The restrictive dress code annoyed many students.

   Their contract was so restrictive that he could not work for anyone else.

   Some parents are more restrictive than others about screen time.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Hard to move in, fitting too tightly, or allowing little freedom of movement.

   Grammar: Describes clothes or equipment that limits movement.

   Patterns

   • restrictive clothing

   She changed out of the restrictive shoes after the party.

   A restrictive collar kept the dog from scratching its ear.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   In grammar, describing a clause or phrase that is needed to identify the noun it follows, and so is not separated by commas.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun: restrictive clause; opposite is nonrestrictive.

   Patterns

   • a restrictive clause

   In the sentence The man who called is here, who called is a restrictive clause.

   Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas.

Word forms

Common combinations

restrictive rules

The restrictive rules limited what visitors could bring.

overly restrictive

Critics said the law was overly restrictive.

restrictive covenant

A restrictive covenant stopped the owner from building a second house.

restrictive diet

He followed a restrictive diet for his health.

restrictive clause

A restrictive clause gives essential information.

restrictive policy

The company adopted a restrictive policy on travel.

Synonyms and how they differ

limiting

Limiting is a plain word for setting boundaries, while restrictive suggests rules that are strict and sometimes unfair.

confining

Confining suggests being shut in or held to a small space, so it is more physical and emotional than restrictive.

strict

Strict describes how firmly rules are enforced, while restrictive describes how much they limit your options.

constraining

Constraining is more formal and describes forces that hold something back from developing.

Opposites

Word family

restrict verb

to limit something

restriction noun

a rule or limit

restrictively adverb

in a limiting way

unrestricted adjective

without limits

Commonly confused: restrictive or restricted?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “restrictive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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