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
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
But recently, Ware said that attacks have been circumscribed to far fewer victims - even when there was the opportunity to kill more.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 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
Verb
Like other forms of self expression, digital-communication technology has become dangerously circumscribed under Trump; only the tools that exist independent of Big Tech seem like safe bets for dissent.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2025
But recently, Ware said that attacks have been circumscribed to far fewer victims - even when there was the opportunity to kill more.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribed
Adjective
-
Originally launched in 2009 as a limited-edition design, the kit includes a unique box with a canvas Baguette, made of perforated cotton and decorated with an FF clasp.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Overall, this financialization has transformed the way those with limited incomes are able to obtain shelter – including the owners of mobile homes.—
Cassie Powell,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Review screen time reports together so kids feel involved in the process rather than restricted.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Biden has been absent from the campaign trail since then, but Martin said that Biden had lent his name to some fundraising appeals, and that he has been restricted by treatments for cancer.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Set in 18-karat yellow gold and framed with nearly five carats of brilliant white diamonds, the Emma earrings embody the vision defined by the company’s founder.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The study reveals that the performance of the soft mechanical metamaterial is limited by the beam aspect ratio, which is defined as the ratio of the length to the width of each beam.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Simulations using automatic differentiation and finite element analysis facilitate efficient design guidance.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Linguists have argued that its limitless potential is what gives human languages their ability to generate an infinite number of possible sentences out of a finite vocabulary and a finite set of rules.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Following the July announcement, speculation was rampant regarding CBS’s decision and it was not confined to Reddit threads and other areas of online discourse.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Being confined to the sideline is something else entirely.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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,
5 Nov. 2025
-
It is bounded by Seventh Street to the east, Fourth Street to the west, Jefferson Street to the north, and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks to the south.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
One was needed with a narrow temperature range; in Helm’s case, inglorious British maritime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Its cities have narrow and twisting streets.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribed. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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