confine 1 of 2

confine

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word confine different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of confine are circumscribe, limit, and restrict. While all these words mean "to set bounds for," confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.

our choices were confined by finances

When is it sensible to use circumscribe instead of confine?

The words circumscribe and confine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.

the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

When might limit be a better fit than confine?

The words limit and confine can be used in similar contexts, but limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go.

visits are limited to 30 minutes

When is restrict a more appropriate choice than confine?

The meanings of restrict and confine largely overlap; however, restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.

laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press

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 confine
Verb
Animals that are kennel-trained will likely be pleased to be in their cozy confines and away from the bustle of vacuums, mops, and the like, but for those who are roamers, consider gating off an area for them. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025 The National Park Service did not change its confine and contain strategy to reflect the worsening conditions and maintained that there was still no threat to public safety or developed areas. Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Pilots are co-owned by business leaders and technical teams, ensuring that experiments are not confined to the lab but tied to real outcomes. Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 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 See All Example Sentences for confine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confine
Verb
  • Beijing’s addition of five mid- and heavy rare earths to its export controls, on top of the seven already restricted, underscores how these materials have become a flashpoint with trade partners beyond Washington.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Major drawbacks restrict the widespread use of these metallic materials.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When he is imprisoned on the basis of false testimony, with no hope of release, the intrepid Mercédès tries to break him out of jail.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The last battle in CaliforniaThe Modocs who had attacked peace commissioners were imprisoned at Fort Klamath, where they were tried and convicted of murder.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While measuring long-term effects was outside the study’s scope, the team believes lasting impacts would have been minimal.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But the doctor said the follow-up scope was necessary to check for cancer.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their proposal would prohibit the EPA from using the program’s assessments in environmental rules, regulations, enforcement actions and permits that limit the amount of pollution allowed into air and water, and from using them to map the health risks from toxic chemicals.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Space is limited to 30 participants; call 760-643-5288 or sign up at the center’s front desk.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The state can fairly easily police the requirement that Max be installed on new phones by threatening phone companies that don’t comply or even jailing their executives.
    Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Orwell was thinking about a society where people who spoke out were jailed, potentially executed and were kind of disappeared.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The reach of Frankenstein is such that it is still directly referenced and quoted in philosophy and bioethics publications today.
    Big Think, Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
  • China’s exports of electric vehicles doubled in September from a year earlier as its automakers expanded their reach into overseas markets.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dozens are still missing and officials warn the full extent of the devastation in remote towns of 500 to 1,000 residents remains unknown.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
    Vogue, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And Florida did just about everything right on Saturday to complete the homestand sweep.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The Blue Jays retaliated in the Pacific Northwest with 21 runs during an impressive three-game sweep in May.
    Scott Phillips, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Confine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confine. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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