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
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
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
-
Şengün played a large chunk of his limited time on the floor Monday night with Adams or Capela also in the lineup.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Following their split, the parents of two were seen together on numerous occasions, including the 2019 Emmys where Taylor was on deck to support Ben, who was nominated for outstanding directing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special for Escape At Dannemora.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More than 20 states have restricted the practice through laws – including some that were backed by Republican governors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Pathways for young English players are increasingly threatened, even in the post-Brexit era, where recruitment of academy footballers from abroad is restricted.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 23-year-old hit 33 long passes (defined as 40 metres or more) — more than double by a goalkeeper in any other United game this season.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The result is a lightweight, transparent take on Jimmy Choo’s traditional evening pump — airy in construction yet defined by precision lines and a high arch.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Their time represents their most finite and valuable resource.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
These tools’ field of view is still finite.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the 1880s, a New York heiress with an active and unorthodox social life was declared a habitual drunkard, placed under a legal guardianship, and later confined to an asylum.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In the seventh episode of the show, one sequence portrays Ed Gein killing a nurse at the hospital where he is confined.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then, as if that were not enough excitement for any hunter at one time, a big mule-deer buck broke out of the thicket and bounded away to my left, straight for Sally.—
Robert Merchant,
Outdoor Life,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In the clip, the puppy dashed toward his new little friend; at first the Chihuahua retreated, stuck his tongue out and paw up, and then bounded toward him.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But those plans can be quite narrow and ineffective for addressing flood damage.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Wide, shallow pans allow alcohol to evaporate more quickly than deep, narrow ones.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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