Something that is restrictive prevents people from doing what they want to do, or from moving freely.
Britain is to adopt a more restrictive policy on arms sales.
...increasingly restrictive immigration laws.
Do not wear restrictive clothing.
English Easy Learning GrammarRelative clausesRelative clauses tell us more about nouns. They function rather like adjectives, andare found as postmodifiers in a noun phrase. The noun that is modified ... Read more
restrictive in British English
(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
Derived forms
restrictively (reˈstrictively)
adverb
restrictiveness (reˈstrictiveness)
noun
restrictive in American English
(rɪˈstrɪktɪv)
adjective
1.
restricting or tending to restrict; limiting
restrictive regulations
2. Grammar
designating a modifier, as a word, phrase, or subordinate clause, that limits the reference of the word or phrase it modifies and thus is essential to the meaning of a sentence
it is not set off by punctuation
“who laughed” in “the person who laughed is my friend” is a restrictive relative clause
see also nonrestrictive
Derived forms
restrictively (reˈstrictively)
adverb
restrictiveness (reˈstrictiveness)
noun
Word origin
ME < MFr restrictif
Examples of 'restrictive' in a sentence
restrictive
In the absence of a restrictive covenant, there is no legal right to a view.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Therefore leasing was seen as a way to circumvent restrictive covenants.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The proceeds will help the company to secure cheaper and less restrictive bank facilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Wales have chosen not to be restrictive in their practices.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Already there are signs that business is unhappy with such a restrictive policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Our restrictive laws and permanently offended online crusaders would soon have it banned.
The Sun (2015)
There are two common ways of dealing with a restrictive covenant.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The reasons for the subsequently restrictive practice is difficult to understand.
Bramwell, Anna C Refugees in the Age of Total War (1988)
Employers are not free to construct restrictive covenants as they wish.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But it is really a restrictive practice dressed up as a health and safety issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But it is a nudge to relax what is a restrictive covenant.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Another problem with restrictive covenants is that they must be monitored and enforced.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
Mumbai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world but it is sprawling outwards because of restrictive planning laws.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Meanwhile, the affordability criteria used by lenders remains increasingly restrictive.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
To denote that the clause is restrictive, there are no commas.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These are thought likely to be less restrictive than the proposals being considered by the Government.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The Sport mode is essentially full power with a slightly less restrictive safety net.
The Sun (2010)
But in theory, diversity meant something less restrictive.
Hollinger, David A. Postethnic America: Beyond Multiculturalism (1995)
He also called for a shake-up of restrictive working practices.
The Sun (2011)
But with the injury becoming increasingly restrictive, the club's medical staff determined that he should wait no longer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Given the very restrictive planning policy in Cambridge and the pressure on housing, prices are likely to keep going up.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
restrictive
British English: restrictive ADJECTIVE
Something that is restrictive prevents people from doing what they want to do, or from moving freely.
The state will adopt a more restrictive policy on arms sales.
American English: restrictive
Brazilian Portuguese: restritivo
Chinese: 约束性的
European Spanish: restrictivo
French: restrictif
German: restriktiv
Italian: restrittivo
Japanese: 制限する
Korean: 제한적인
European Portuguese: restritivo
Latin American Spanish: restrictivo
All related terms of 'restrictive'
restrictive law
The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime , business agreements , and social relationships . You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system.
restrictive clause
a relative clause that restricts the number of possible referents of its antecedent . The relative clause in Americans who live in New York is restrictive
restrictive covenant
a covenant imposing a restriction on the use of land for the purpose of preserving the enjoyment or value of adjoining land
restrictive practice
Restrictive practices are ways in which people involved in an industry , trade, or profession protect their own interests, rather than having a system which is fair to the public, employers, and other workers.
restrictive relative clause
a relative clause that restricts the number of possible referents of its antecedent . The relative clause in Americans who live in New York is restrictive