1
as in limiting
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 imprisoning
to put in or as if in prison
the accused was confined until the trial could take place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confining
The man, of Watts, was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and capturing/confining wildlife and entered a no-contest plea to the animal cruelty charge, the department said.
—
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The requirement to add wheels adds costs and can limit where these homes are allowed, often confining them to mobile home parks under local zoning rules.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Sangram Parishad leaders alleged the government pressured members of the port’s negotiation team to accept the deal while confining them at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority office in Dhaka.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
This pattern will suppress widespread snowfall, confining wintry weather mainly to the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and higher mountain elevations.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Previously, the concept of corralling — confining entities — had been demonstrated only for photons and electrons; this is the first time it has been achieved with atoms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
However, the mom of two has since suffered a tethered spinal cord, limiting her movement and confining her to the house.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
For a while after that, our mother would be subdued, confining herself to household chores.
—Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The requirement to add wheels adds costs and can limit where these homes are allowed, often confining them to mobile home parks under local zoning rules.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Sangram Parishad leaders alleged the government pressured members of the port’s negotiation team to accept the deal while confining them at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority office in Dhaka.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
This pattern will suppress widespread snowfall, confining wintry weather mainly to the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and higher mountain elevations.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Previously, the concept of corralling — confining entities — had been demonstrated only for photons and electrons; this is the first time it has been achieved with atoms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
However, the mom of two has since suffered a tethered spinal cord, limiting her movement and confining her to the house.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
For a while after that, our mother would be subdued, confining herself to household chores.
—Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confining
Verb
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To ease the transition, experts recommend adjusting sleep schedules gradually, limiting caffeine intake, and using light exposure strategically to help the body adapt to the new time.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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Many homeowners who locked in ultra-low borrowing costs during the early years of the pandemic have been reluctant to sell and take on significantly higher rates, limiting the number of homes for sale and keeping prices elevated.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Based on the way the regime is treating you and all these other political activists—imprisoning you all—what does that indicate about the regime?—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
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For decades, the Islamic Republic has neutered its domestic opposition, imprisoning its critics including former presidents.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lawmakers recently spent hours arguing over measures to preempt local governments from funding activities that fall under a vague and broad definition of diversity, equality and inclusion, stop them from restricting greenhouse gases, and prevent them from regulating urban sprawl.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
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Advertisement The future of American democracy depends not on restricting participation but on expanding it—on welcoming more voices, not fewer.—
Celina Stewart,
Time,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most county-sheriff offices function much the way police departments do—investigating crimes, making arrests, and jailing people.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Orange County’s negotiations with the federal government to increase its reimbursement for jailing federal inmates and immigrant detainees could now last through the end of March.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The fifth and sixth installments are loosely connected to this seventh film by the presence of the unusually tenacious twins Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown), who are inexplicably interning for Sidney’s longtime frenemy, journalist Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox).—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
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The fifth and sixth installments are loosely connected to this seventh film by the presence of the unusually tenacious twins Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown), who are inexplicably interning for Sidney’s longtime frenemy, journalist Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox).—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The governor’s bill would require any state agency charged with incarcerating people to follow the standards outlined in the federal law.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
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The announcement came as the House Rules Committee was considering resolutions to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt, which could have potentially led to the government imposing penalties and incarcerating them.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confining. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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