Synonyms of bounds

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• limits
• limitations
• confines
• boundaries
• lines
• ends
• barriers
• extents
• ceilings
• caps
• terminations
• edges
• borders
• fences
• margins
• extremities
• walls
• restraints
• termini
• fag ends
• hedges
• rims
• verges
• stops
• brims
• bars
• outsides

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

• confines
• boundaries
• perimeters
• edges
• borders
• edgings
• circumferences
• margins
• verges
• fringes
• skirts
• ends
• peripheries
• outskirts
• rims
• brims
• frames
• hems
• compasses
• borderlines
• skirtings
• limitations
• cusps
• extents
• lips
• frontiers
• curbs
• restrictions
• shores
• crests
• ceilings
• demarcations
• maxima
• ambits
• measures
• brinks
• marches
• borderlands
• terminations
• laps
• pales
• meres
• selvages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hearts
• centers
• cores
• insides
• interiors
• middles
• inners
• withins

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leaps
• jumps
• hops
• bounces
• vaults
• springs
• skips
• lopes
• pounces
• gambols
• capers
• attacks
• plunges
• caprioles
• dives
• pitches
• gambadoes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defines
• limits
• marks (off)
• delimits
• describes
• demarcates
• circumscribes
• demarks
• governs
• terminates
• controls
• determines
• delineates

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

• borders
• margins
• edges
• surrounds
• fringes
• skirts
• rims
• frames
• circles
• encircles
• defines
• confines
• limits
• walls
• traces
• demarcates
• loops
• outlines
• rings
• rounds
• trims
• circumscribes
• encloses
• restricts
• curbs
• sketches
• delineates
• hems
• restrains
• silhouettes
• environs
• checks
• controls
• girths
• girdles
• compasses

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hops
• bounces
• leaps
• skips
• lopes
• trips
• jumps
• lollops
• romps
• capers
• frisks
• vaults
• gambols
• skitters
• skims

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trudges
• plods
• lumbers

2

as in jumps

to propel oneself upward or forward into the air

a rabbit bounded down the garden path

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leaps
• jumps
• hops
• vaults
• springs
• bounces
• pounces
• skips
• hurdles
• lopes
• leapfrogs
• attacks
• cavorts
• romps
• gambols
• frolics
• bucks
• capers
• caprioles
• skyrockets
• shoots

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bounds

Noun

Kylan Mbappé took a cut at the net early, though his right-footed shot was deflected out of bounds by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026

The names of staffers' friends and family members are also outside the bounds of federal and local campaign records. — Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 July 2026

Unfunny and out of bounds, offsides, an own goal — all of the things. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Instead, the mostly over-60 crowd went for a more resort-y look, including a few pairs of dark jeans that would’ve been out of bounds even a few short years ago. — Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

If the signal is red, the swimming spots are out of bounds for a day or two while the river flushes itself out. — Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Two years later, Swift pushed the bounds of her beauty yet again, pairing a white, deep V-cut gown with a shaggy bob. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

In many cases, fishers are operating fully within the bounds of local regulations. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The ball deflected of the keeper Nikola Vasilj, then Robinson, and went out of bounds. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Verb

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

Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing bounds

• by leaps and bounds