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
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 bounds
Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
But the deep stepback three didn’t even reach the front of the rim, resulting in an air ball that landed out of bounds and gave possession back to the Trail Blazers late in a close game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Todd blitzed and hit Fifita so hard the ball popped loose and sailed out of bounds.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
But replay overruled them, as Godwin’s foot landed in bounds.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The junior reeled in a seven-yard pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza, just getting his foot in bounds to secure the 27-24 win over Penn State to keep their dream season alive in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, improving to 10-0 on the season.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Hegardt slid and deflected a Lopez pass out of bounds.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
From stone faces to pearl charm tips, Macmillan’s imagination ran beyond the bounds of natural beauty, marrying organic animation with sculpture techniques.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Over the past few hundred years, humans have advanced, both scientifically and technologically, in tremendous leaps and bounds.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
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
The duo begin a frantic game of hide-and-seek, with the rabbit running from one side of the tree to the other as the fawn bounds after it.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
His highlight — and really, the Panthers’ big highlight — of the first half came on an attempt that legitimately flipped the field, as Martin had a 51-yard boot pop out of bounds at the New Orleans 2-yard line.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
But the deep stepback three didn’t even reach the front of the rim, resulting in an air ball that landed out of bounds and gave possession back to the Trail Blazers late in a close game.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Todd blitzed and hit Fifita so hard the ball popped loose and sailed out of bounds.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
But replay overruled them, as Godwin’s foot landed in bounds.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
The junior reeled in a seven-yard pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza, just getting his foot in bounds to secure the 27-24 win over Penn State to keep their dream season alive in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, improving to 10-0 on the season.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Hegardt slid and deflected a Lopez pass out of bounds.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
From stone faces to pearl charm tips, Macmillan’s imagination ran beyond the bounds of natural beauty, marrying organic animation with sculpture techniques.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Over the past few hundred years, humans have advanced, both scientifically and technologically, in tremendous leaps and bounds.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
The duo begin a frantic game of hide-and-seek, with the rabbit running from one side of the tree to the other as the fawn bounds after it.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share