Overview
Just to give a general idea, let us understand the basic meaning with an example.
What is restrict? – To restrict someone from doing something is to control them. For example, you would have seen boards like ‘entry restricted’ outside the kitchen of restaurants, which means as a customer you are not allowed to enter the kitchen because it is meant only for the staff. In another words, it is a ‘controlled’ entry.
Constrict, on the other hand, means to make something narrower usually with a squeezing action. Well, it is sometimes used figuratively to indicate ‘control’ as well, but the literal meaning is different. As an example –
Giving too many instructions to children constricts their creativity.
Here is a sentence using both, try to understand the difference -
Restrict yourself from eating junk food as it can constrict the capacity of your lungs.
The difference cleared Now, think which one is correct in the below sentence – 1. The flow of water has been restricted to two only two valves OR the flow of water has been constricted to only two valves. In the above statement, the word ‘constrict’ is more appropriate because it means making the path narrower (or uncomfortable) for the water to flow. 2. The entry was restricted to only VIPs OR The entry was constricted to only VIPs. Clearly, restricted takes this one, as the entry was a controlled one and not for all. 3. Constrict your mind to have positive thoughts to remain happy OR Restrict your mind to have positive thoughts to remain happy. Again, restrict is correct because you have to ‘control’ your thoughts. Examples Think of restrict as ‘control’ or to ‘limit’. If you want to be slim, restrict yourself to eating only one sweet per day.
If you don’t want to be in trouble, restrict your tongue.
Don’t put so many restrictions on your children, let them be free.
I restricted myself to watching only two movies per day.
Think of constrict as ‘make something uncomfortably narrow’ as the word comes from the latin word constringere which means to ‘tie tightly’. Constricting the clothes more closely can make more space in your suitcase.
My neck constricted for a second because of the new t-shirt.
Our stay in their house was constricting. Thank god we came back soon.
The costume was constricting my legs and I just wanted to get off it soon.
He pressed my hand so hard that I felt constricted. Hope you liked the article.
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