restrictive
Allowing little freedom
Restrictive limits, confines, or narrows what's permitted.
A restrictive policy forbids more than it allows.
Restrictive clothing constrains movement.
In grammar, a restrictive clause identifies which thing you mean rather than adding extra information: in "the car that I bought," the clause restricts which car.
The word often carries a negative connotation—suggesting excessive or unnecessary limitation.
Imposing limits upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
- inhibitingPreventing or slowing action
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- hamperingInterfering with progress
suppressing · curbing · hindering · prohibitive · repressive · suffocating · throttling · capping
Firmly stretched or fitting
- crampedUncomfortably lacking space
- confinedKept within bounds
- squeezedPressed firmly together
- pinchedStole or squeezed tightly
claustrophobic · snug · close-fitting · binding · constricting · compressed · strait · unyielding
Obstruction preventing passage
- curfewMandated return time
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
censorship · confinement · detention · prohibition · moratorium · containment · lockdown · surveillance
Superior select group
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- selectiveChoosing with care
- discriminatoryShowing unfair distinction
exclusionary · segregated · insular · closed · privileged · gated · cliquish · clubby
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- policiesAdopted courses of action
guidelines · regulations · oversight · enforcement · bureaucracy · protocol · governance · mandate
constraining
Imposing limits upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
- inhibitingPreventing or slowing action
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
hampering · suppressing · curbing · hindering · prohibitive · repressive · suffocating · throttling · capping · narrowing
tight
Firmly stretched or fitting
pinched · claustrophobic · snug · close-fitting · binding · constricting · compressed · strait · unyielding · rigid
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
- curfewMandated return time
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
sanctions · censorship · confinement · detention · prohibition · moratorium · containment · lockdown · surveillance · checkpoint
elite
Superior select group
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- members-onlyRestricted to enrolled participants
- selectiveChoosing with care
discriminatory · exclusionary · segregated · insular · closed · privileged · gated · cliquish · clubby · nepotistic
compliance
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
policies · guidelines · regulations · oversight · enforcement · bureaucracy · protocol · governance · mandate · code
- oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
- tightnesstight, taut, snug, constricting, compressed
- policy adjectivesfiscal, domestic, foreign, federal, national
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- inaccessibleinaccessible, unreachable, out of reach, unobtainable, unattainable
restrictiveunrestricted
Having no limitations
unlimited · nonrestrictive · open · free · unconstrained
restrictiveloose
Not firmly secured
roomy · spacious · comfortable · flowing · loose-fitting
- dietary restrictionRule about allowed foods
- age restrictionMinimum years to participate
- travel restrictionLimit on movement
- caloric restrictionReduced energy intake
- parking restrictionRule limiting vehicle stops
- trade restrictionLimit on international commerce
restriction, restricting, restrictively, restrictiveness, nonrestrictive