restrict

verb

re·​strict ri-ˈstrikt How to pronounce restrict (audio)
restricted; restricting; restricts
Synonyms of restrictnext

transitive verb

1
: to confine within bounds : restrain
2
: to place under restrictions as to use or distribution

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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 Trump has voted in Florida since 2020, and the state,like almost every other, restricts voting access for people convicted of felony crimes. —Miles Parks, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024 The bill also restricts surgeries, which physicians say are rare for minors and only done in severe cases. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024 After the 2021 Insider expose, Brandy Melville temporarily restricted comments on their social media accounts, but continued selling clothes without an apology or acknowledgement, a strategy that’s allowed the brand to avoid accountability at all turns. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024 The move was a major preemptive escalation in opposition to the bill, which has not yet become law but has already sparked debate over who would benefit, and whether restricting access to news content might inhibit democracy. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024 Despite the reprimand, Lyerly said she has never been sued for malpractice or had her license restricted. —Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024 The hotel’s appeal isn’t restricted to a certain age group but covers all ages. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024 What to Consider The hotel is in a residential area and restricts noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024 These final few games, Sharks’ coach David Quinn said, will help finalize the team’s opinions on various pending unrestricted free agents, or soon-to-be restricted free agents. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restrict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

restress

restrict

restricted

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Restrict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrict. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

restrict

verb
re·​strict ri-ˈstrikt How to pronounce restrict (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of restrict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of restrict for Arabic Speakers

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