1
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
such circumscriptions on the freedom of speech are antithetical to a free and open society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limitation
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
electronic monitoring bracelets are sometimes used to impose a circumscription of movement on people awaiting trial
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Recent Examples of circumscription
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—
New York Times, 28 May 2022
Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous.
—Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
New York Times, 28 May 2022
Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous.
—Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscription
Noun
-
Medication access, restrictions If signed into law by Abbott, Texas would join a handful of other states that allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Regional restrictions may apply.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Within that report, the limitations of the analysis need to be acknowledged.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Tactics will remain flexible to adapt to changing fire behavior, terrain limitations, and resource availability.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jackson attributes that sense of instability to the city’s many budget constraints, including major financial commitments for the migrant crisis and homelessness.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
-
But before Xi Jinping became the country’s leader, the ruling establishment operated with some constraints.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscription. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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