box in

verb

boxed in; boxing in; boxes in
: to surround (someone or something) and make movement difficult
The other bicyclists boxed her in and she couldn't move ahead.
usually used as (be) boxed in
We were boxed in and couldn't get out of our parking space.
sometimes used figuratively
I feel boxed in by all these rules.

Examples of box in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Just like their matchup against Las Vegas, the Avs are boxed in, frustrated, with no easy way out. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026 The Cavs are boxed in by their payroll and previous roster decisions. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 26 May 2026 Onsite voting for the June 2 California Primary is underway, however at least one voting station is being used as an emergency shelter and some ballot drop boxes in the Southland are closed in the immediate area. Paris Barraza, USA Today, 24 May 2026 Clothes, photographs, furniture, collectibles, records, boxes in the attic, and the things nobody knows quite what to do with. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for box in

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Cite this Entry

“Box in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/box%20in. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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