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
Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Swain’s pass sailed long, but Weaver somehow corralled it and called a timeout before stepping out of bounds.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The Patriots forced their second consecutive three-and-out thanks to strong play by cornerback Carlton Davis, who held up against a double team to force Mims out of bounds, and cornerback Marcus Jones to break up a pass on third down.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2026
Though many in policy-making and legislative positions may have found his views repellant, that did not distract from bipartisan concern that the federal enforcement operation may have overstepped constitutional bounds.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
Then, on a Chicago sideline in-bounds play, Edwards didn’t commit to helping off an action, which gave Tre Jones an easy path to the rim for the go-ahead bucket.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
The language in the memorandum affirms legitimate counterterrorism work while leaving room to treat political dissent as out of bounds.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
As such, cryptocurrency prices are important to the market, with their impact stretching well beyond the bounds of the traditional crypto sphere.
—Malana Vantyler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Growing by leaps and bounds Lavrenov has always been prepared.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Age of Imprisonment both controls and performs leaps and bounds better than its predecessors.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
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
With technology growing by leaps and bounds every day, more and more tasks can be automated.
—Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
This is a great way to bolster your career and future-proof it outside of bounds of your organization.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Swain’s pass sailed long, but Weaver somehow corralled it and called a timeout before stepping out of bounds.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The Patriots forced their second consecutive three-and-out thanks to strong play by cornerback Carlton Davis, who held up against a double team to force Mims out of bounds, and cornerback Marcus Jones to break up a pass on third down.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2026
Though many in policy-making and legislative positions may have found his views repellant, that did not distract from bipartisan concern that the federal enforcement operation may have overstepped constitutional bounds.
—Odette Yousef, NPR, 24 Jan. 2026
Then, on a Chicago sideline in-bounds play, Edwards didn’t commit to helping off an action, which gave Tre Jones an easy path to the rim for the go-ahead bucket.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
The language in the memorandum affirms legitimate counterterrorism work while leaving room to treat political dissent as out of bounds.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office overstepped its legal bounds in signing an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a legal analysis provided to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
As such, cryptocurrency prices are important to the market, with their impact stretching well beyond the bounds of the traditional crypto sphere.
—Malana Vantyler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Age of Imprisonment both controls and performs leaps and bounds better than its predecessors.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
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
With technology growing by leaps and bounds every day, more and more tasks can be automated.
—Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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