1
as in limits
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
colored outside the bounds of the drawing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defines
to mark the limits of
the country is bounded by water on two sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in borders
to serve as a border for
being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bounds
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
So much of our system of government and the checks and balances baked in depend on the presumption that at the very least each branch will act in good faith within the bounds of the law, and that each will seek to safeguard its own authority.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
But Florida caught a break when officials missed guard Urban Klavzar stepping out of bounds while passing to Boogie Fland (who Kentucky subsequently fouled).
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Indicating that anything resembled the tactics and smears of the late senator from Wisconsin has been enough to suggest that such behavior was out of bounds, with no rightful place in our modern politics.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The Aztecs finished with only two offensive boards, one from freshman Tae Simmons and one that was logged as a team rebound because the ball went out of bounds or a foul was called.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Passes from the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans sailed out of bounds.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
His predecessors stretched the bounds of constitutional law for years, balking at requirement that a commander in chief seek congressional approval.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Over the years, engineers have developed fans, heat sinks, liquid cooling loops, phase-change materials, and other technologies to keep cell temperatures within safe operating bounds.
—Etiido Uko
march 04, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
In the special filmed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Fleming bounds across the stage sharing his takes on masculinity, conga lines, Trader Joes, Oreos, NPR, dog breeds and more.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Each time Ivy's owner, Ryan, draws nearer, the dog fakes him out and bounds away, tail wagging.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Growing by leaps and bounds Lavrenov has always been prepared.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As my guide Nicolas Jeanroy preps his truffle gear, which looks like a collection of garden tools, his canine partner, Taïga, bounds up.
—Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
And speaking of guest stars doing all of the trio’s investigative work for them, Richard Kind then bounds into the room (as Richard Kinds are wont to do) with a huge development of his own.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Within moments, the rangy 29-year-old actor Harris Dickinson bounds down an exterior staircase and shakes my hand.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
While the immediate retooling impacts the auto workforce across the state, the shifts also affect the international competition where experts think China and Europe are leaps and bounds ahead of American EV technology and adoption.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Or were the suitors behaving within the bounds of what was acceptable?
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
So much of our system of government and the checks and balances baked in depend on the presumption that at the very least each branch will act in good faith within the bounds of the law, and that each will seek to safeguard its own authority.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
But Florida caught a break when officials missed guard Urban Klavzar stepping out of bounds while passing to Boogie Fland (who Kentucky subsequently fouled).
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Indicating that anything resembled the tactics and smears of the late senator from Wisconsin has been enough to suggest that such behavior was out of bounds, with no rightful place in our modern politics.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The Aztecs finished with only two offensive boards, one from freshman Tae Simmons and one that was logged as a team rebound because the ball went out of bounds or a foul was called.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Passes from the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans sailed out of bounds.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
His predecessors stretched the bounds of constitutional law for years, balking at requirement that a commander in chief seek congressional approval.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Over the years, engineers have developed fans, heat sinks, liquid cooling loops, phase-change materials, and other technologies to keep cell temperatures within safe operating bounds.
—Etiido Uko
march 04, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
In the special filmed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Fleming bounds across the stage sharing his takes on masculinity, conga lines, Trader Joes, Oreos, NPR, dog breeds and more.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Each time Ivy's owner, Ryan, draws nearer, the dog fakes him out and bounds away, tail wagging.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Growing by leaps and bounds Lavrenov has always been prepared.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As my guide Nicolas Jeanroy preps his truffle gear, which looks like a collection of garden tools, his canine partner, Taïga, bounds up.
—Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
And speaking of guest stars doing all of the trio’s investigative work for them, Richard Kind then bounds into the room (as Richard Kinds are wont to do) with a huge development of his own.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Within moments, the rangy 29-year-old actor Harris Dickinson bounds down an exterior staircase and shakes my hand.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
While the immediate retooling impacts the auto workforce across the state, the shifts also affect the international competition where experts think China and Europe are leaps and bounds ahead of American EV technology and adoption.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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