as in limited
having distinct or certain limits
the powers of that state's governor are so sharply circumscribed that often his hands are tied by the state legislature
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in restricted
to set bounds or an upper limit for
circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defined
to mark the limits of
Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circumscribed
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Barrett understood its more circumscribed project.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
There’s a circumscribed way to open the soju bottle, a correct way to pour and drink.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Washingtonians are already sensitive about their circumscribed rights.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
While Swift’s life is extraordinary, it’s also cloistered by wealth and celebrity; perhaps the range of feelings she’s allowed to experience has become circumscribed.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Barrett understood its more circumscribed project.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
There’s a circumscribed way to open the soju bottle, a correct way to pour and drink.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Washingtonians are already sensitive about their circumscribed rights.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribed
Adjective
-
Until recently, however, this critical industrial software field in China had been dominated by Western companies, leaving local firms with limited room to maneuver.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Camille Rowe reunited with Reformation for the brand’s latest collaboration with the French model and actress, introducing a new, limited-edition collection of feminine styles and sensual separates.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Of the 40 units, 39 will be deed-restricted for extremely low- and low-income households — 29 for those earning at or below 50% of area median income (AMI) and 10 for those at or below 30% of AMI.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
On Tuesday, Meta announced that teen accounts on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As the film's first 007, the actor defined and was responsible for the character's immense popularity.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Mega airports are defined as those with 33 million or more passengers per year.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Because the only path forward — for Israelis, Palestinians, and all of us watching — is to remember that empathy is not a finite resource.—
Dafna Michaelson Jenet,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Today, Facebook competes with platforms like Twitch and Reddit for the same finite base.—
Roman Axelrod,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Humilde envisioned this as a celebration of Mexican-American culture, not confined to any traditional genre or region.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The first part of the ceasefire was confined to the release of living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and flowing in of aid.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Childhood, adolescence, and adulthood—like all biological states, from autism to Alzheimer’s—exist on a spectrum, not as cleanly bounded stages.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
District 2 is bounded by Five Mile Road to the west, Franklin Road to the south, and the Interstate-184 Connector to the east.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On closer inspection, Capital Economics said Beijing’s policy is actually narrower in scope than initially feared.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The Hornbein and Japanese Couloirs are defined by their steep, icy, and narrow conditions and the high risk of avalanches.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribed. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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