1
as in limiting
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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2
as in defining
to mark the limits of
Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east
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Recent Examples of circumscribing
In quick succession, the Court began circumscribing Congress’s ability to define rights and act on its constitutional imagination.
—
Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
This wouldn’t be the first time the Court has avoided a head-on fight with the other branches, especially after Congress makes noise about circumscribing its authority.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
This wouldn’t be the first time the Court has avoided a head-on fight with the other branches, especially after Congress makes noise about circumscribing its authority.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribing
Verb
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A little over a month after the California law was suspended, Washington state's Democratic governor, Bob Ferguson, signed a new law Thursday limiting facial coverings on law enforcement officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
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Injuries have already played a big role in limiting the upside of some teams, such as South 6-seed North Carolina having lost Associated Press second-team All-American Caleb Wilson to a late-season thumb injury.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Waddle can be quirky and hilarious — but his unselfishness remains a defining quality.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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Kudrow is widely recognized as one of the defining comedic performers of her generation.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Italy's Constitutional Court on March 12 upheld a 2025 law restricting citizenship to persons with an Italian parent or grandparent.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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In December 2025, the White House issued a proclamation fully restricting and limiting the entry of citizens of 12 countries, including Iran.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribing. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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