1
as in to limit
to set bounds or an upper limit for
circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse
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Recent Examples of circumscribe
The marketplace of ideas becomes skewed; the choices of buyers in that marketplace are circumscribed.
—
James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
Analysts predicted all sorts of potential Iranian retaliatory measures of various sizes and scales, but Iran ultimately opted for an intense but circumscribed missile attack on the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, resulting in no fatalities but more than 100 U.S. personnel with traumatic brain injuries.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
Yet this project’s geography is circumscribed, its borders hedged.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Yet these men’s behavior was tightly circumscribed, at least in appearance.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
Analysts predicted all sorts of potential Iranian retaliatory measures of various sizes and scales, but Iran ultimately opted for an intense but circumscribed missile attack on the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, resulting in no fatalities but more than 100 U.S. personnel with traumatic brain injuries.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
Yet this project’s geography is circumscribed, its borders hedged.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Yet these men’s behavior was tightly circumscribed, at least in appearance.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribe
Verb
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The first major updates in the last decade to the building code went into effect earlier this month after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in July limited a key legislative committee's ability to indefinitely block administrative rules.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Callie, the hottest person at Seattle Grace, went through so much turmoil and humiliation in her relationships prior to that, including, but not limited to, being cheated on by her husband and being dumped by a newly out lesbian who couldn’t handle her being bisexual.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Great Recession stands as the generation’s defining economic event.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Saudis studying abroad lose the subtleties of the language and miss out on the culture, memes, and everything else that defines this generation.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Democrats objected, though, because of the inclusion of amendments aimed at restricting rights oftransgender people.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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In the news release, DATCP urges livestock owners to have strong biosecurity measures in place, including washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals and keeping new additions to the flock or herd separate for at least 30 days.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The film follows her journey from being confined within her home to becoming team captain, showcasing her struggles against societal expectations and determination to excel in sports.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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But that mechanism seemed confined to one host species.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribe. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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