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restrict meaning and examples

2025-09-14

Meaning

“Restrict” means to limit, control, or put boundaries on something so that it cannot go beyond certain rules, amounts, or conditions.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Verb

  • Verb type: Transitive (requires an object)

  • Common structures:

    • restrict + noun
    • restrict + someone/something + to + noun/verb-ing
    • restrict + access/movement/freedom

Examples of structures:

  • The school restricted the use of mobile phones.
  • The doctor restricted her to a light diet.

Common Phrases

  • restrict access – to limit who can enter or use something
  • restrict movement – to control physical mobility
  • restrict freedom – to limit personal choice or independence
  • restrict trade – to limit economic exchange
  • restrict growth – to slow down or prevent development

Collocations

  • restrict + access/entry/movement/freedom
  • strictly restrict
  • restrict by law
  • restrict use of
  • government restricts

Examples

  1. The company restricted internet access to certain websites.
  2. New rules restrict students from leaving the campus during lunch.
  3. The patient was restricted to bed rest for two weeks.
  4. To protect the environment, the government restricted fishing in the area.
  5. The software restricts users from downloading unapproved files.
  6. His injury restricted his ability to play sports.
  7. Authorities restricted access to the building after the fire.
  8. Parents sometimes restrict their children’s screen time.
  • limit
  • control
  • confine
  • restrain
  • regulate

Antonym

  • allow
  • permit
  • free
  • release
  • enable