Restricting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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restricting

[rษชหˆstrษชktษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

limiting freedom

The act of limiting or controlling something, especially to prevent it from happening too often or too much.

Synonyms

constraining, limiting, restraining.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
restricting

Used when setting official rules or limits on what someone can do.

  • The new law is restricting the use of plastic bags
  • The school policy is restricting students from using phones in the classroom
limiting

Used when talking about reducing the number, size, or amount of something to a certain level.

  • The company is limiting the number of products it can sell this quarter
  • Limiting screen time can improve children's focus and sleep
constraining

Used when describing a situation where someone is being forced into a limited way of acting or thinking.

  • He felt the corporate environment was constraining his creativity
  • Economic factors are constraining the growth of small businesses
restraining

Used when describing an action to keep someone's movements or actions under control, often through physical means. Sometimes has a negative connotation.

  • The police were restraining the suspect during the arrest
  • She was restraining her anger during the tense meeting

Examples of usage

  • The new law is restricting access to certain websites.
  • They are restricting the number of guests allowed at the event.
  • We need to be careful not to restrict creativity in our team.
Context #2 | Verb

restraining movement

To prevent someone or something from moving freely, or from doing something that they want to do.

Synonyms

confining, constraining, limiting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
restricting

This word is typically used when something is being limited by some form of control, often through rules or regulations.

  • The school is restricting the use of mobile phones during classes.
  • New laws are restricting how much landlords can raise rent.
confining

This word is more commonly used in physical or spatial contexts, where something is being kept in a limited space.

  • The animal is confined to a small cage.
  • The prisoners are confined to their cells.
constraining

Constraining is often used when external forces, limitations, or pressures are limiting someone's ability to act freely. It can imply a sense of restriction but often with a cause or force behind it.

  • Financial problems are constraining their ability to expand the business.
  • She felt her creativity was being constrained by the strict guidelines.
limiting

This is used to describe anything that reduces the extent, amount, or duration of something, not just physical space but also opportunities, capabilities, and resources.

  • The small budget is limiting what we can do with the project.
  • His injuries are limiting his ability to play sports.

Examples of usage

  • The handcuffs were used to restrict his movement.
  • She felt restricted by the rules imposed on her.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Researchers suggest that when individuals feel their choices are restricted, they may experience anxiety or resistance.
  • The 'reactance theory' posits that people will often want to do the opposite of what is being restricted, indicating a strong reaction to perceived limitations.
  • Studies find that too much restriction in childhood can lead to increased rebellious behavior in adolescence.

Pop Culture

  • Songs and movies often depict characters fighting against restrictions, symbolizing the universal desire for freedom.
  • Reality shows frequently use restrictions as a device to create drama, forcing contestants to adapt creatively.
  • In literature, protagonists often encounter restrictions that they must overcome to fulfill their goals, making these challenges central to the plot.

Laws and Ethics

  • Many laws seek to restrict certain actions, such as speeding, to ensure public safety.
  • Ethical debates often arise regarding the need for restrictions on freedom of speech, balancing personal freedoms with community safety.
  • In environmental policy, restrictions on pollution are vital for protecting natural ecosystems and public health.

Education

  • In educational settings, restrictions can sometimes limit creativity, leading teachers to seek balance between rules and freedom in the classroom.
  • Standardized test requirements are often seen as restricting teachersโ€™ ability to provide a more personalized learning experience.
  • Restrictions on technology usage in classrooms aim to focus students' attention, but these can also lead to frustration among tech-savvy learners.

Origin of 'restricting'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'restringere', where 're-' means back and 'stringere' means to bind or tie.
  • First used in the English language around the late 14th century, it originally referred to binding something tightly.
  • The prefix 're-' in 'restricting' indicates a return to a previous state, showing how things can be limited again.

The word 'restricting' originates from the Latin word 'restrictus', past participle of 'restringere', which means 'to confine, restrain'. The concept of restriction has been present throughout history in various forms, from laws and regulations to social norms and personal boundaries. The idea of restricting something is often linked to the desire to maintain order, control, or safety in different contexts.


See also: restrict, restricted, restrictedly, restriction, restrictions, restrictive, restrictor, unrestricted, unrestrictedness.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,378 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.