as in limited
having distinct or certain limits
the powers of that state's governor are so sharply circumscribed that often his hands are tied by the state legislature
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in restricted
to set bounds or an upper limit for
circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defined
to mark the limits of
Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribed
Adjective
-
Typically support is limited, either by a sole that’s too rigid to go flat, a sole that’s too flexible for a safe heel, or a mechanism that lacks the ability to swap the heels.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025 -
Once again, vehicular access was closed and pedestrian access was limited.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The war was mostly fought around the Great Lakes and in Canada, but conflict wasn’t restricted to the north.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The state had had similar laws since the late 1970s, but they had been restricted to kids with extensive records of violent felonies.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The values were not defined for respondents but left to their own interpretation.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
-
In an era dominated by CGI, Hung emphasizes the physical authenticity that defined Hong Kong action while acknowledging modern techniques.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With Republicans in solid control of state government, though contending with intraparty battles marked by differences that seem as much personal as ideological, the Texas Legislature will return to work Tuesday facing an ambitious to-do list but having only a finite amount of money to spend.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
There are finite resources available, and for every player who is moved, there is one fewer on the market.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
The Lhasa block, bounded by fault-lines, forms southern Tibet.—
Joe Cash and Gopal Sharma,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
-
The Lhasa block, bounded by fault-lines, forms southern Tibet.—
Joe Cash and Gopal Sharma,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
-
That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribed. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share