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 Democratic Caucus said the fines are being assessed under rules enacted in 2023 specifically to punish Texas House Democrats for breaking quorum in 2021, when members left the state for 38 days to block GOP voting restrictions.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
And beginning this year, another 8 to 10 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage as new eligibility restrictions take effect.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Vrabel believes part of Durden’s development is knowing his limitations.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
-
That strategy is now approaching its limitations.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Baltimore leaders say that 87% of young men enrolled in Roca Baltimore for 24 months have no new incarcerations, while those who stay in the program for three years are 19% less likely to return to a life of crime than other similarly aged men in Maryland.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confinements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confinements. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
