1
as in to restrict
to set bounds or an upper limit for
will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to imprison
to put in or as if in prison
the accused was confined until the trial could take place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scope
Related 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 confine
Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Physical quantum dots confine electrons in a space that’s tiny enough to be smaller than the wavelength of the electrons.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for confine
Verb
But Butcher spent much of season four confined to a hospital bed, and as the season neared its end, Urban wasn’t exhausted.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Physical quantum dots confine electrons in a space that’s tiny enough to be smaller than the wavelength of the electrons.
—ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for confine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confine
Verb
-
There are several states that cap wage garnishment at lower amounts than the federal limit — and some even restrict how many consumer debt garnishment orders an employer can process at one time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Generally, chips above certain performance thresholds are restricted, while lower-end mature chips are sold to China routinely and most sales to Russia are prohibited or require a license, which is often denied, said Brian Burke, a litigator and board advisor with expertise in China.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Mohammadi had been imprisoned since December in Zanjan prison.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
She had been imprisoned for more than a year on charges of treason stemming from a $52 donation to a charity aiding Ukraine.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The plans, however, were complicated by the project’s ambitious scope.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
Previously, when Artemis III was conceived as a moon landing test, the mission was expected to last three to four weeks, according to the European Space Agency, but that timeline doesn’t necessarily apply to the new scope.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet expectations for the summit’s outcomes are muted, with both leaders facing setbacks at home and abroad that may limit their room to maneuver.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
But the internal federal documents indicate the base's capacity to hold immigration detainees is limited to roughly 400 beds.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Alicia Vikander plays Baranov’s wife Ksenia, and Tom Sturridge is a banker and oligarch based on former oil and gas baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was jailed after challenging Putin’s grip on power.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
Torrie Lemon, 24, pleaded guilty to the charge on Thursday, May 14, according to a sentencing order obtained by PEOPLE, which notes that following her 40 days jailed, she would be placed on probation for a period of 1,420 days.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
What to do nearby Beverly Hills is conveniently positioned between the ocean and Hollywood, putting two of Los Angeles’s main draws within easy reach.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
The bill’s reach is not narrow.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The extent of the spill was disputed Sunday by the government of Trinidad and Tobago, which said only 10 barrels were spilled and the spill was contained the same day it was detected, May 1.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
This happened with the shooting at NFL headquarters in New York City, when Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and to a lesser extent, with the recent incident at the White House Correspondents dinner.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Starter Anthony Kay helped the Sox complete a three-game sweep, allowing two runs over a career-high six-plus innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
The Braves have won four in a row and go for a sweep of the three-game series Thursday night.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confine. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
