circumscribe

verb

cir·cum·scribe ˈsər-kəm-ˌskrīb

circumscribed; circumscribing; circumscribes

Synonyms of circumscribe next

transitive verb

: to constrict (see constrict sense 1) the range or activity of definitely and clearly

his role was carefully circumscribed

: to define or mark off carefully

a study of plant species in a circumscribed area

: to draw a line around

circumscribed the misspelled words

: to surround by or as if by a boundary

fields circumscribed by tall trees

: to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as to touch as many points as possible

a circle circumscribing a square

Did you know?

To circumscribe something is to limit its size, activity, or range, but the range of influence of the Latin ancestors of circumscribe knows no bounds. Circumscribe comes via Middle English from the Latin verb circumscribere (which roughly translates as “to draw a circle around”), which in turn comes from circum-, meaning “circle,” and scribere, meaning “to write or draw.” Among the many descendants of circum- are circuit, circumference, circumnavigate, circumspect, circumstance, and circumvent. Scribere gave us such words as scribe and scribble, as well as ascribe, describe, and transcribe, among others.

Choose the Right Synonym for circumscribe

limit, restrict, circumscribe, confine mean to set bounds for.

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

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

circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.

the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.

our choices were confined by finances

Examples of circumscribe in a Sentence

The circle is circumscribed by a square. circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse

Recent Examples on the Web The law, known as the Online News Act, is one part of a broad and contentious effort by the Canadian government to regulate the digital sphere and circumscribe the power of tech giants. —

Amanda Coletta and Gerrit De Vynck, Anchorage Daily News, 23 June 2023 In practice, this would mean, for example, that the Baltic states and Poland would enjoy the same large, but ultimately circumscribed, degree of sovereignty as, say, Canada does. —

Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023 Make art, live alone, have children, don’t have children: A woman’s choices are often circumscribed by the era in which she is born, and then again by how tolerant, encouraging or generous the men in her life — beginning with her father — are. —

New York Times, 20 Apr. 2023 For Beau, the sense of being continually monitored, manipulated and controlled by his smothering mother, of having his life circumscribed by her worries, expectations and demands, carries a metaphorical and emotional truth, if not a literal one. —

Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023 If he is convicted of any of the charges, whether at trial or through a plea, his role would be severely circumscribed under House rules, and he would likely be compelled to resign. —

Michael Gold, New York Times, 10 May 2023 There’s a subtext to all this confusion: Appearances can be deceptive, and individual roles are seldom as rigidly circumscribed as people would like to believe. —

Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2023 In the institute’s view, AI’s future should be circumscribed by regulation. —

The Editors, National Review, 7 Apr. 2023 Bruce grew up with five siblings in a home tightly circumscribed by T.C.’s paltry salary and the dour provincialism of Simcoe, in the southwest corner of the province, not far from Lake Erie. —

William Grimes, New York Times, 5 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circumscribe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.