as in restricted
having distinct or certain limits
in their paintings the Impressionists played down bounded figures and concentrated on the subtle, fleeting effects of light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defined
to mark the limits of
the country is bounded by water on two sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bordered
to serve as a border for
being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in hopped
to move with a light springing step
the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leaped
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air
a rabbit bounded down the garden path
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of bounded
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
My sense so far is that migration is becoming more bounded (notably from Africa to Europe), more regional and with a greater emphasis on cultural assimilation.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 4 June 2022
Although Joshua Tree comprises more than 1,200 square miles of desert with a clear and bounded border, its interior is a constantly changing landscape of hills, canyons, riverbeds, caves and alcoves large enough to hide a human from view.
—Kelzim, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2022
What Franzen’s narrative method suggests is a reality in which relatively coherent and bounded psyches look out onto a world that offers them a range of choices for action and meaning; the psyches select from these options, and later on repent of or are grateful for their selections.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021
Numerous robot demonstrations still rely on algorithms set for specialized tasks in bounded situations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 July 2021
Until recently, policymaking took place in a bounded world, with fiscal limits set by the assumption that the federal debt shouldn’t be permitted to get too large as a percentage of the economy.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 11 Mar. 2021
His age, at times, has been painfully apparent on the campaign trail: his loquacity is less bounded, his stories meander without necessarily reaching their conclusion.
—The Economist, 4 July 2020
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The Esther Street crosswalk is bounded on its outer edges by white paint, and the colors are also separated by white stripes.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s bounded by Sheridan, North Harlan Street, and West 88th and 92nd avenues.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Answers stay answer‑first; sponsorships are disclosed, bounded, and never masquerade as reasoning.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The zone where the special pricing will likely apply for now is bounded by Broadway to the north, State Street to the west, Interstate 5 to the east and Harbor Drive and 16th Street to the south.
—Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The Lhasa block, bounded by fault-lines, forms southern Tibet.
—Joe Cash and Gopal Sharma, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
The 58-acre parcel is bounded by 13th Avenue and 6th Avenue to the north and south and by Osage Street and Seminole Road to the east and west.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2025
Coral The Coral Sea is a marginal sea located off the northeast coast of Australia, bounded by the Great Barrier Reef to the west, the Solomon Islands to the northeast, and New Caledonia to the east.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Start small and run experiments, such as applying for a first grant or running a bounded peer-to-peer campaign.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
My sense so far is that migration is becoming more bounded (notably from Africa to Europe), more regional and with a greater emphasis on cultural assimilation.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 4 June 2022
Although Joshua Tree comprises more than 1,200 square miles of desert with a clear and bounded border, its interior is a constantly changing landscape of hills, canyons, riverbeds, caves and alcoves large enough to hide a human from view.
—Kelzim, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2022
What Franzen’s narrative method suggests is a reality in which relatively coherent and bounded psyches look out onto a world that offers them a range of choices for action and meaning; the psyches select from these options, and later on repent of or are grateful for their selections.
—Alan Jacobs, Harper's Magazine, 28 Sep. 2021
Numerous robot demonstrations still rely on algorithms set for specialized tasks in bounded situations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 July 2021
Until recently, policymaking took place in a bounded world, with fiscal limits set by the assumption that the federal debt shouldn’t be permitted to get too large as a percentage of the economy.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 11 Mar. 2021
His age, at times, has been painfully apparent on the campaign trail: his loquacity is less bounded, his stories meander without necessarily reaching their conclusion.
—The Economist, 4 July 2020
Verb
The 962-acre project area is generally bounded by Route 38 to the north, Keslinger Road to the south, Harley Road to the west and Brundige Road to the east, according to past reporting.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
The Esther Street crosswalk is bounded on its outer edges by white paint, and the colors are also separated by white stripes.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s bounded by Sheridan, North Harlan Street, and West 88th and 92nd avenues.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Answers stay answer‑first; sponsorships are disclosed, bounded, and never masquerade as reasoning.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The zone where the special pricing will likely apply for now is bounded by Broadway to the north, State Street to the west, Interstate 5 to the east and Harbor Drive and 16th Street to the south.
—Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
The Lhasa block, bounded by fault-lines, forms southern Tibet.
—Joe Cash and Gopal Sharma, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
The 58-acre parcel is bounded by 13th Avenue and 6th Avenue to the north and south and by Osage Street and Seminole Road to the east and west.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2025
Coral The Coral Sea is a marginal sea located off the northeast coast of Australia, bounded by the Great Barrier Reef to the west, the Solomon Islands to the northeast, and New Caledonia to the east.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bounded
Adjective
-
Tesla's board earlier this year approved an interim compensation package for Musk worth about $29 billion in restricted stock, designed to keep him at the helm through at least 2030.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Vehicles parked in restricted areas may be ticketed or towed, and parking within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk is prohibited, per the release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But there is a finite supply of housing, and prices went up, pricing out younger buyers.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Even though California now has the second-highest tax incentive in the country after Georgia (which has no cap on its program’s annual spending), there is still a finite amount of money to be handed out each year.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Buses are a major mode of transport in Mexico, where, though freight trains are common, passenger rail routes remain limited.—
Lizbeth Diaz,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
And with the aircraft manufacturing industry effectively a duopoly between Boeing and Airbus, options are limited.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
They’re also made with arch support and a toe box that’s not too narrow or crammed, per the brand, plus the rubber sole offers a nice cushioned platform with each step.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the outcomes could shape the balance of power heading into 2026.—
Grace Sandman,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The hurricane center has warned residents there to keep an eye on the system and will issue watches and warnings if its path looks more definite.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
That said, there is some definite room for growth.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bounded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounded. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share