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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circumscription Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous. Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscription
Noun
  • Harvard, in its refusal to comport with new federal guidelines regarding DEI restrictions, has put $9 billion in federal funding at risk.
    Rep. Steve Weir, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025
  • Complete access to Netflix without restrictions is considered Open.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Under the draft bill, the limitations would be made permanent.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Like Proton Drive, Proton Calendar and Proton Pass are available to free users, but with limitations.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • New Organization And Team Operating Model AI technology by itself will not yield value until there is an openness to take a fresh look at business processes and combine them with resource and tech dependency with no constraints.
    Balmukund Shukla, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • This limitation is a significant constraint on his potential serving speed.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscription. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!