1
as in to limit
to set bounds or an upper limit for
circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 circumscribe
Yet these men’s behavior was tightly circumscribed, at least in appearance.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Pausing or circumscribing an economic decoupling would give U.S. sanctions maximum bite and bolster deterrence.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Imagine circumscribing topics of conservation with yellow police tape around them – topics that almost instantly trigger conflict.
—Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The junta has pledged to stage elections within a year, even though its capacity to hold a vote—even a sham one—seems hugely circumscribed, both by war and by the March earthquake.
—Ye Myo Hein, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Pausing or circumscribing an economic decoupling would give U.S. sanctions maximum bite and bolster deterrence.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
Imagine circumscribing topics of conservation with yellow police tape around them – topics that almost instantly trigger conflict.
—Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The junta has pledged to stage elections within a year, even though its capacity to hold a vote—even a sham one—seems hugely circumscribed, both by war and by the March earthquake.
—Ye Myo Hein, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribe
Verb
-
And her husband, Reed didn't treat her as if she was limited in any way.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
23 July 2025
-
The Texans also have an offensive line coach whose NFL experience is limited to being a co- or assistant offensive line coach.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Digital Transformation Propelled by Emerging Technologies Significant technical innovation is defining the transformative digital age.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Medical records reportedly revealed that Hogan was previously diagnosed with atrial fibrillation — a heart condition defined as having an irregular heart rhythm — and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a form of cancer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Professors and education advocates, who waited six hours for public testimony to begin, said the curricula review provision opens the door for ideological censorship and restricts courses.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Since they are restricted free agents, their 2024-25 teams have right of first refusal, meaning if Grimes, for example, signed an offer sheet with another franchise, the Sixers could match it to bring him back for the same price.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Instead, violence that had mostly been confined to the northeast spread.—
Benjamin Ezeamalu,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
In one study, researchers induced postnatal stress in a mouse (confining her, forcing her to swim) and separated her from her pups at unpredictable intervals.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribe. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share