ENGLISH
REFERENCE

restricting

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˈstɹɪktɪŋ// UK //ɹɪstɹˈɪktɪŋ// re·strict·ing

adj. limiting what someone can do or where they can go. You use this to describe rules or clothes that make you feel trapped or less free.

adj. limiting or controlling the freedom, movement, or actions of someone or something. Often describes participial use in an attributive position before a noun.


SIMPLE

The new laws are very restricting.

CONTEXTUAL

The athlete found the tight bandage too restricting and asked the trainer to loosen it before the race.

COMPLEX

While the legal framework was designed to prevent fraud, many small business owners argued that the overly restricting regulations actually stifled innovation and discouraged new market entries.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'feel' or 'seem', or precedes a noun as a modifier.

Pitfall

The rules are restricted.The rules are restricting.Learners often confuse the active participle 'restricting' (the thing that limits) with the passive participle 'restricted' (the thing being limited).

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