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
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
At first, tech companies could survive, and even thrive, within these bounds.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Garrincha’s appeal transcended the bounds of the pitch.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Paine was a republican who wanted the Americans to break free from the political bounds of Great Britain, from the tyranny of the monarchy.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
The save pushed the ball out of bounds, and her teammates immediately ran over to celebrate the stop with her.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Russian madness truly knows no bounds, so please protect your lives.
—Robert McGreevy , Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
And with a maximum velocity below 200 mph, AMG GT 63 is well within the bounds to be shod with gummy tires that perform equally well in cornering.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Sister typically bounds around on their walks, but Bowen said the tiny dog kept sitting still on the road.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
As Sac State bounds into the 2026 season as a first-time member of the FBS in the Mid-American Conference, Carter said his squad will not lack in effort.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Taking photos with the device so many people have in their pockets is leaps and bounds beyond photography equipment used during Apollo 17 – even the 1960s-era 35mm camera.
—Jennifer Levasseur, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2026
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Noah’s technical ability on snare drum is leaps and bounds ahead of other students his age, and his consistently excellent drumming anchors our drumline’s sound.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
If everything is within bounds, then a contemporary star has less to push back against.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
At first, tech companies could survive, and even thrive, within these bounds.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Garrincha’s appeal transcended the bounds of the pitch.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Paine was a republican who wanted the Americans to break free from the political bounds of Great Britain, from the tyranny of the monarchy.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
The save pushed the ball out of bounds, and her teammates immediately ran over to celebrate the stop with her.
—Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Russian madness truly knows no bounds, so please protect your lives.
—Robert McGreevy , Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
And with a maximum velocity below 200 mph, AMG GT 63 is well within the bounds to be shod with gummy tires that perform equally well in cornering.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
Something as simple as adding a tablespoon of fresh ground flax or chia seeds to a smoothie can do leaps and bounds improvement in the microbiome itself.
—Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Sister typically bounds around on their walks, but Bowen said the tiny dog kept sitting still on the road.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
As Sac State bounds into the 2026 season as a first-time member of the FBS in the Mid-American Conference, Carter said his squad will not lack in effort.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Taking photos with the device so many people have in their pockets is leaps and bounds beyond photography equipment used during Apollo 17 – even the 1960s-era 35mm camera.
—Jennifer Levasseur, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2026
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Noah’s technical ability on snare drum is leaps and bounds ahead of other students his age, and his consistently excellent drumming anchors our drumline’s sound.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bounds
Noun
-
The Kenyan government's Lake Turkana Fisheries Management Plan has imposed regulations designed to protect juvenile fish and make certain breeding grounds off limits to fishing.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
-
The figures don't include properties within incorporated cities’ limits.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Lauer has gone through delivery adjustments and career leaps.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
But taking on Paddington Bear is several giant leaps from Charles Dickens adaptations, TV sitcoms or political satire, and will be no marmalade sandwich-laden picnic.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses?—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
-
The most effective family offices are those that use technology to enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and strengthen collaboration, while still maintaining the personal approach that defines this unique industry.—
Paul Westall,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The move includes entry restrictions on non-citizens who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan, which borders both affected countries, in the previous 21 days, as well as screening and monitoring of people arriving from these countries.—
Jamie Gumbrecht,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
-
The regional administration in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said that one person there was killed by a drone.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Those suborbital hops were paused in January so the company could focus on New Glenn and upcoming moonshots.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Levi Coleman, a 10-year-old with a mop of light brown hair, hops off.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
For Unreleased Gems, that jumps to 40x.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 May 2026
-
In the video, the animal jumps out of the water and lands on the front of the canoe, splashing several paddlers.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
To work around these limitations, epidemiologists in the field have turned to broader-spectrum diagnostic kits and alternative rapid assays, though shortages of testing supplies and the logistical difficulties of operating in remote outbreak regions continue to hamper response efforts.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 May 2026
-
Remedies range from re-testing to limitations on the license to suspension or more, depending on the driver’s competency.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
To the west of the park boundaries lie a handful of private concessions, housing a few riverside lodgings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Great Hikes Most hikes within the main boundaries of TRNP are fairly manageable and short—often less than a mile.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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