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
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The question was not out of bounds, but Fudd and the Wings were certainly within their rights to decline to answer.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Of those, just a handful of those searches were found to have been outside the bounds of the guidelines.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Adebayo took his hard fall when tripped by the hand of Ball while saving the ball from going out of bounds beneath the Heat basket with the Heat down 28-26.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Response From Braden Peters’ Team A spokesperson for Peters defended the walkoff in a statement to People, framing it as a deliberate response to a line of questioning the influencer considered out of bounds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 15, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Ball, while still on the court, swiped his left hand and caught Adebayo’s right foot as the Miami big man tried to save the ball from going out of bounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Adebayo saved the ball from going out of bounds, sending it back to Fontecchio to save the possession.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
This indictment encapsulates behavior of these individuals that was way outside the bounds of the law.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
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
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
Noun
Hart opened the night by chesting up Johnson and forcing a fumble out of bounds.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
The question was not out of bounds, but Fudd and the Wings were certainly within their rights to decline to answer.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Of those, just a handful of those searches were found to have been outside the bounds of the guidelines.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2026
Adebayo took his hard fall when tripped by the hand of Ball while saving the ball from going out of bounds beneath the Heat basket with the Heat down 28-26.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Response From Braden Peters’ Team A spokesperson for Peters defended the walkoff in a statement to People, framing it as a deliberate response to a line of questioning the influencer considered out of bounds.
—Ryan Brennan
april 15, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Ball, while still on the court, swiped his left hand and caught Adebayo’s right foot as the Miami big man tried to save the ball from going out of bounds.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Adebayo saved the ball from going out of bounds, sending it back to Fontecchio to save the possession.
—Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
This indictment encapsulates behavior of these individuals that was way outside the bounds of the law.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
