1
as in limiting
to set bounds or an upper limit for
will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imprisoning
to put in or as if in prison
the accused was confined until the trial could take place
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confining
Romance feels confining as Venus clashes with Uranus today.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The requirement to add wheels adds costs and can limit where these homes are allowed, often confining them to mobile home parks under local zoning rules.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Sangram Parishad leaders alleged the government pressured members of the port’s negotiation team to accept the deal while confining them at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority office in Dhaka.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
This pattern will suppress widespread snowfall, confining wintry weather mainly to the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and higher mountain elevations.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Previously, the concept of corralling — confining entities — had been demonstrated only for photons and electrons; this is the first time it has been achieved with atoms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
However, the mom of two has since suffered a tethered spinal cord, limiting her movement and confining her to the house.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
For a while after that, our mother would be subdued, confining herself to household chores.
—Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The requirement to add wheels adds costs and can limit where these homes are allowed, often confining them to mobile home parks under local zoning rules.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Sangram Parishad leaders alleged the government pressured members of the port’s negotiation team to accept the deal while confining them at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority office in Dhaka.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
This pattern will suppress widespread snowfall, confining wintry weather mainly to the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and higher mountain elevations.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Previously, the concept of corralling — confining entities — had been demonstrated only for photons and electrons; this is the first time it has been achieved with atoms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
However, the mom of two has since suffered a tethered spinal cord, limiting her movement and confining her to the house.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
For a while after that, our mother would be subdued, confining herself to household chores.
—Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confining
Verb
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Unlike traditional sportsbooks, which typically lock bettors into wagers, prediction market users can trade in and out of positions before events are settled, limiting losses or locking in profits.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
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Early childhood advocates in California tend to err on the side of limiting testing as well, Fuller said.—
Makiya Seminera,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For decades, the Islamic Republic has neutered its domestic opposition, imprisoning its critics including former presidents.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Maduro ruled Venezuela's 28 million people as an autocrat, imprisoning his opposition and leaving the economy of an oil rich nation in shambles.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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China retaliated by canceling flights, restricting imports of Japanese seafood and ramping up military patrols, among other measures.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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While the model is available to paid ChatGPT users for everyday development tasks, the company is delaying full API access and restricting high-risk use cases that could enable automation at scale.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, the court said fining or jailing someone for sleeping outside when there are no available shelter beds doesn’t violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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Maduro clamped down on dissent, jailing hundreds of activists, ordering government forces to fire on protesters and triggering another exodus of migrants.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Take Lauryn Williams, a track and bobsled champion, who earned $200,000 a year at 20 years old, but ended up interning for $12 an hour at 30.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
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After studying photography and interning for Attitude Magazine, Yardley naturally found his way into styling, first in the editorial space and then as an assistant for another celebrity stylist.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The announcement came as the House Rules Committee was considering resolutions to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt, which could have potentially led to the government imposing penalties and incarcerating them.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confining. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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