confine 1 of 2

Definition of confinenext

confine

2 of 2

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

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 confine
Verb
His regime controlled the major cities, and the opposition was confined to the northwestern province of Idlib, where a former al-Qaeda leader named Ahmed al-Sharaa (then known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani) was emerging as a leading figure. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026 At Grandma's house chocolate chip cookies aren't confined to a few inches in scale. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Animals that are kennel-trained will likely be pleased to be in their cozy confines and away from the bustle of vacuums, mops, and the like, but for those who are roamers, consider gating off an area for them. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025 The National Park Service did not change its confine and contain strategy to reflect the worsening conditions and maintained that there was still no threat to public safety or developed areas. Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confine
Verb
  • Multiple suits challenging the administration’s policies that restrict legal immigration are pending in federal court.
    Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Bauer proposed an amendment to state that a government body shouldn’t take action to prohibit, deny, restrict or interfere with the right to marry based on race, color, ethnicity or national origin.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Mohammadi suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned before undergoing emergency surgery in 2022, her supporters say.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Guanipa, like many others, was imprisoned on accusations widely believed to be politically motivated.
    Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Still, the department is sweeping in its scope, responsible not only for immigration enforcement, but also disaster response and airport security.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
  • As is tradition in adaptations of Wuthering Heights, Fennell’s film narrows its scope to Heathcliff and Cathy’s relationship and ends with her death.
    Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Parents can take action to limit their baby’s exposure to ultraprocessing and the additives that come with it, Houlihan said.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Honeycomb’s plan is to use deed restrictions to limit future resale price increases, ensuring that the units remain available as affordable housing for the next 40 years or longer.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • He was jailed in January 2021 and moved to an Arctic penal colony in late 2023.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • For example, Yasser Abu Shabab, the now-deceased head of one of the gangs, reportedly escaped prison, where he was jailed for drug smuggling.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Games also keep broadening their reach to new or revisited sports – breaking (breakdancing) in Paris; ski mountaineering in Milan; squash, lacrosse, cricket and flag football in Los Angeles.
    Dana ONeil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The mechanical layout provides sufficient reach and flexibility to manipulate soft materials, which is significantly more challenging than handling rigid objects, reports Techeblog.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But the extent of Epstein’s connections to seemingly countless powerful individuals in numerous fields, including media, validates the feeling that some Epstein obsessives have shared.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • His three-album run from the last decade – 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only and, to a lesser extent, 2018’s KOD – certified his reputation as a thoughtful and engaging voice in the genre.
    Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The incident was determined to be unfounded after a comprehensive sweep of the campuses.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
  • By ending encampment sweeps, Mamdani effectively surrendered public spaces to squalor and disorder.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Confine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confine. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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