restrictive
adjective
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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
Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Earlier this month, the Pentagon implemented more restrictive policies that most major news organizations, including the broadcast and cable networks, refused to sign.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
State agencies need to do a better job overseeing psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but ultimately, the solution is to offer care closer to home and in less-restrictive settings whenever possible, Harvey said.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Wear it under anything for a sleek, smooth silhouette that doesn’t feel restrictive.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrictive
Cite this Entry
“Restrictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrictive. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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restrictive
adjective
Legal Definition
restrictive
adjective
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