1
as in captivities
the act of confining or the state of being confined
some wild animals take to confinement very poorly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restrictions
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
the confinement of commercial development to one stretch of roadway is intended to help preserve the town's rural character
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 confinements
Throughout these pages, Hutchinson expresses a deep love of prose, of its grand possibilities and subtle confinements.
—
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confinements
Noun
-
The rankings were made based on several factors, from laws related to bathroom access to restrictions on drag performances to state leadership scores and shield laws.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
While Chicago has long regulated street vending through permits and restrictions, vendors and advocates say the recent enforcement appears more coordinated and punitive than in the past.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
To work around these limitations, epidemiologists in the field have turned to broader-spectrum diagnostic kits and alternative rapid assays, though shortages of testing supplies and the logistical difficulties of operating in remote outbreak regions continue to hamper response efforts.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 May 2026
-
Remedies range from re-testing to limitations on the license to suspension or more, depending on the driver’s competency.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Once a technically complicated legal rarity used to challenge improper incarcerations, habeas corpus petitions have become the predominant avenue for immigrants seeking release from detentions that increasingly end only with a deportation order.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Despite their felony convictions and impending incarcerations, both former Met police career criminals continue to collect their monthly kisses in the mail — $8,850 a month for Cederquist and $6,020 for Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confinements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confinements. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
