confine 1 of 2

confine

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word confine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of confine are circumscribe, limit, and restrict. While all these words mean "to set bounds for," confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.

our choices were confined by finances

When is it sensible to use circumscribe instead of confine?

The words circumscribe and confine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.

the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

When might limit be a better fit than confine?

The words limit and confine can be used in similar contexts, but limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go.

visits are limited to 30 minutes

When is restrict a more appropriate choice than confine?

The meanings of restrict and confine largely overlap; however, restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.

laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confine
Verb
After the attack, the prison was placed on lockdown, meaning all those incarcerated in the facility were confined to their housing, as a precaution while an investigation is ongoing, Todd said. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024 Next year will be the year to think beyond the boundaries confining us and build something better in their place. Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
Google's vision even extends beyond Earth's confines, hinting at a future where quantum clusters in space could revolutionize computing. Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 While most creators stick within the confines of their home country, Speed’s livestreams have taken him around the world, from Southeast Asia to Europe to Australia and more. Jon Youshaei, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for confine 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confine
Verb
  • Review and restrict app permissions that access data like location, camera and microphone that are unnecessary.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Drones are also restricted in some airspace by the FAA at the request of law enforcement for safety and security reasons.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Several already have been convicted and imprisoned.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Trump could yet be imprisoned for those 34 felony counts.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The device is unable to determine the exact gas type and full scope of any leak over time.
    Evan Simon, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The scope of the law, which would be in place for three years, is extraordinary even for the Islamic Republic.
    Amir Vahdat and Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Trump has previously supported policies that limit immigration and prioritize American workers.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Had the former been in play, quarterback Bryce Young would not have started and played the entirety of Sunday’s 48-14 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however limited the offense’s snaps and time on the field turned out to be.
    Joseph Person, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Before the campaign season even began, Maduro’s government had jailed more than 15,000 politicians, protesters, activists, and journalists, subjecting an unknown number to torture.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The president-elect has previously claimed that House Jan. 6 select committee members should be jailed.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Commanders scored 36 points against one of the league’s best defenses, but the game might have been out of reach with a healthy Hurts.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Securing the border or having any kind of coherent immigration policy is perennially out of reach.
    Dominic Pino, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • To some extent, that’s a justifiable reaction by defenses to Young’s prowess and the Hawks’ still-iffy perimeter shooting around him.
    John Hollinger, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The Treasury brought in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency immediately after being notified of the attack, with the remaining agencies, the FBI, intelligence community and third-party forensic investigators, contacted upon realization of the extent of the attack itself.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • After all, the Massachusetts team just won the Eastern Conference of the NBA with a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers, and will be in the finals beginning next week and win it all.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The Steelers won the first meeting and with a sweep would win the division, holding a two-game division lead and the tiebreaker with two weeks remaining.
    Jack Magruder, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near confine

Cite this Entry

“Confine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confine. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on confine

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