bounds 1 of 4

noun (1)

plural of bound
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bounds

2 of 4

noun (2)

plural of bound
as in leaps
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

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bounds

3 of 4

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of bound
1
as in defines
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

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2
as in borders
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

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bounds

4 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of bound
1
as in hops
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jumps
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

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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
Noun
But Rybakina showed no intimidation, quickly coming through with a decisive break to clinch the victory after Gauff sent her overhead shot out of bounds, much to the shock of those there to root on the American. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 Warriors punt goes out of bounds and Ocoee takes over on its own 13-yard line. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026 With 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Jobe leaped to not only snare the interception but landed in bounds with both feet to secure Seattle's 13-10 win. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026 Since Davis had just been out of bounds, the clock would stop on such contact. — CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 Previously, a touchback when kicked from the 50-yard line gave the opponent the ball at the 30-yard line, while a kick out of bounds placed the ball 25 yards from the spot of the kick — or the 25-yard line. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The Big Ten issued a statement two hours after the game, clarifying the process that was used and citing the rule that was enforced about when the clock stops if a player touches the ball out of bounds. — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 And in this case, Black's lawsuit states, the panel has overstepped those bounds. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026 But the Venezuela deal further stretches the bounds of its mandate, involving oil instead of a classic critical technology, and has already prompted Democrats to vow to investigate. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
With the sprightly energy of a schoolboy, Jean-Paul Doron bounds into an empty creek, his red suede shoes scraping pale rocks. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 Over a century later, the Himalayan blackberry has spread far beyond the modest backyard bounds its importers envisioned, opting instead to take over indiscriminately and displace the native trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in the process. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026 Oprah Winfrey bounds into view in a white dress. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bounds
  1. limits
  2. boundaries
  3. leaps
  4. defines
  5. borders
  6. hops
  7. jumps
  8. limitations
Noun
  • However, there are limits, and attributing knowledge, responsibility, or involvement in matters of this nature to me without presenting a single piece of evidence clearly crosses that line.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This is the ideal time to visit vineyards just outside the city limits for glasses of biodynamic wine, house a schnitzel at an old-fashioned café, or catch a screening of The Third Man at the cozy Burg Kino movie theater.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of limits
Noun
  • Missouri voters will also decide in November whether to use the new GOP-friendly congressional boundaries in 2028 and beyond.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Its collection deliberately defies conventional boundaries between fine and popular art, placing painting and sculpture alongside illustration, comics, photography, and cinema.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of boundaries
Noun
  • The cliff divers, drawn to the thrills of the illicit jumps amplified by social media, reveled in dozens of leaps.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Mobile networks, radar systems, and even satellite communication have made major technological leaps in the past couple of decades, but there is much that can be further improved.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of leaps
Verb
  • This is a fitting enough point to wonder what goes into making a dynasty, or even what defines success.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Football season, which Bank of America defines as September through February, has historically driven the biggest jump in new betting activity—first-time users grew 22% year-over-year during the 2025 season.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of defines
Verb
  • Hezbollah is the terrorist group that controls much of Lebanon, which borders Israel.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The lake borders New York state and the Canadian province of Ontario.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of borders
Verb
  • Furious at having been deceived her whole life, Kylie hops on the next plane to the Owens’ ancestral home in England with the intent of breaking the curse once and for all.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel hops on the field at training camp in El Segundo in July.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of hops
Verb
  • Can the linebackers make Year 2 jumps with support in front of them?
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • For a family of four with two working adults and two children, that number jumps to $247,936.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of jumps
Noun
  • With the construction limitations and the lack of ownership, there’s no true incentive to economically develop the site.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Knowing that his playing career would come to an end in college because of his physical limitations, Adams started looking around at how Boise State could pave the path for the next step in his career as a coach.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of limitations

Phrases Containing bounds

Browse Nearby Words

boundlessness
bounds
bounteous
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Cite this Entry

“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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