off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts How to pronounce off-limits (audio)
: not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (such as military personnel)
also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of
the subject of sex was off-limits in her family

Examples of off-limits 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.
The Heat essentially made Ware off-limits in trade discussions with the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant this month, leading the Suns to eventually deal Durant to the Houston Rockets. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025 Equipping the drones with weapons or pairing them with facial recognition software is still off-limits, officials said. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025 Developed countries have long treated medicines as off-limits in trade disputes for one simple reason: patients' lives should never be used as leverage in a trade war. Christopher Hale, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 And unlike the strikes by Israel in recent days, some of which targeted densely populated areas, the US attacks were concentrated in locations off-limits to most civilians. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-limits

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-limits was in 1945

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Cite this Entry

“Off-limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-limits. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective
ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts
1
: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people
2
: not to be discussed or considered
questions about my salary are off-limits

More from Merriam-Webster on off-limits

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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