Definition of limitationnext
1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the bridge has a weight limitation that bars heavy trucks from crossing it

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2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice the state has some fairly strict limitations on the sale and use of alcoholic beverages

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3
as in constraint
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries the limitation on the number of vehicles allowed on the island does not sit well with year-round residents

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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 limitation The district also considered limitations to remodeling or rebuilding. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026 This definitional shift highlights BMI’s limitations as a measure of metabolic health. Bret Scher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 Conservative appeals courts have signaled skepticism of some trial judges’ rulings, with appellate courts throwing out injunctions as overly broad and vague, suggesting judicial restraint regarding the scope of limitations on executive immigration authority. Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Freeman acknowledged several limitations of the study, including the fact that researchers did not track changes in diet or olive oil consumption over time, noting that these constraints were also identified by the authors. Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for limitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limitation
Noun
  • Even the Dodgers, the cartoon villains of spending, kind of sort of have a limit.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • On the first wet dress rehearsal, NASA was able to load the SLS rocket core and upper stages with 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX), but during the final test countdown run, an LH2 supply line leak into the core stage exceeded acceptable limits and cut the test short.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Jailbreaking in this context refers to a process that removes software restrictions placed on a piece of hardware.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Republicans often couched their fury at speech restrictions — around right-wing cultural politics and COVID-19, in particular — as part of a broader critique of corporate power.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The reality today is human plus machine, operating under budget constraints in flawed institutions, fed by imperfect data.
    Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
  • At the time, Chapter 11 documents filed on behalf of McGrath stated that despite the strength of the brand, Pat McGrath Labs faced growing financial headwinds in early 2025 including liquidity constraints.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Limitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limitation. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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