1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
within the confines of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
outside the confines of the school walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
that's beyond the confines of my power as dean of the college
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in limits
to set bounds or an upper limit for
will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imprisons
to put in or as if in prison
the accused was confined until the trial could take place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confines
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
In an industry that often confines its actors, especially women and especially Black women, Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth and courage.
—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
In an industry that often confines its actors, especially women and especially Black women, Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth and courage.
—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confines
Verb
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In his view, this limits the ability to evaluate intermodal as a mature logistics solution capable of delivering predictable outcomes when properly executed.
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Cavitation also limits the speed of modern metal ship propellers powered by large internal combustion engines.
Verb
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County leaders vowed to legally oppose the facility, pointing to county zoning laws that do not allow for detention centers or any type of facility that holds or imprisons people on county land.
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But such judgments often come from a place of distance—from people who have never lived under a theocracy that imprisons, tortures, and kills with impunity.
Verb
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The law restricts the use of excess revenue from building-permit fees, eliminating their use for the construction of buildings or other structures, and limiting that money primarily to code-enforcement functions such as permitting operations, inspections, technology upgrades and training.
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The law also restricts arrests at places of worship and health care facilities when a person is receiving medical treatment.
Verb
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The facility is one of 11 Kentucky jails that contract with ICE to detain people.
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China, which jails human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uyghurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and has committed genocide against the Falun Gong, is on the UN Human Rights Council.
Cite this Entry
“Confines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confines. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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