restrictive

American  

[ri-strik-tiv] / rɪˈstrɪk tɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to restrict.

2. of the nature of a restriction.

3. expressing or implying restriction or limitation of application, as terms, expressions, etc.

4. Grammar. limiting the meaning of a modified element.

   a restrictive adjective.

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restrictive British  

/ rɪˈstrɪktɪv /

adjective

1. restricting or tending to restrict

2. grammar denoting a relative clause or phrase that restricts the number of possible referents of its antecedent. The relative clause in Americans who live in New York is restrictive; the relative clause in Americans, who are generally extrovert , is nonrestrictive

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Other Word Forms

• restrictively adverb
• restrictiveness noun
• unrestrictive adjective
• unrestrictively adverb

Etymology

Origin of restrictive

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French restrictif < Latin restrict ( us ) ( restrict ) + Middle French -if -ive

Example Sentences

“It’s important that our policy stay at a moderately restrictive posture, because that is a posture that increases the likelihood that we will get inflation back to our 2% target.”

From Barron's

The prospect of Warsh at the helm of the Fed has crypto traders more concerned about the impact of a potentially restrictive monetary regime.

From MarketWatch

“But if the January jobs report shows a similar dynamic, it should at a minimum help keep the Fed from adopting an overly restrictive stance as the first quarter progresses.”

From Barron's

Those surveyed who switched from Copilot said they found better quality elsewhere, with some citing poor user experience and restrictive usage limits.

From The Wall Street Journal

And therefore, they argue, more restrictive laws would simply drive it underground and lead to women taking more risks.

From BBC

Related Words

• definitive
• exclusive
• selective