1
as in restricts
to set bounds or an upper limit for
limit the note to a few words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defines
to mark the limits of
adjectives limit the meanings of nouns
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in limitations
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
there was no limit to the number of challenges they faced
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in heights
the most extreme or advanced point
those bratty kids have pushed my patience to the limit
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 limits
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
In November, a judge rejected Nathan’s request to close off the courtroom and impose a gag order, which limits attorneys and investigators from making out-of-court statements about the case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Federal law limits your liability to $50, and most major issuers waive that entirely.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Early reading failure permanently limits cognitive development.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Mediterranean diet limits dairy (along with poultry and eggs) to one serving a day.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
But Nexstar needs waiver from the FCC, given a current ownership cap that limits entities from amassing stations that cover more than 39% of the country.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
California’s wolf management plan limits the measures that individuals and law enforcement officers can take to harm wolves or frighten them away.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
If the San Diego City Council and mayor want to charge locals who don’t live within city limits much more to park at Balboa Park, then why don’t other cities in San Diego County charge San Diego residents more to park in their cities?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
The scale of the challenge Precinct 2 went from managing roughly 20 miles of unincorporated roads to more than 200 miles as development continues outside city limits.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Democrats had pushed for limits on federal immigration enforcement in exchange for supporting the funding bill.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Sometimes this might require you to set limits with others, but the bigger part is probably an inside job.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
DeLauro, who was then-chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, helped revive them in 2021 by introducing more limits and new rules aiming to help with transparency.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
All of them touched in some way by one woman’s ageless quest to find her limits and go beyond them.
—Will Graves, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Enjoying some time for herself and setting limits have also become bigger priorities after more than a decade in the game.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
So the negativity with Erik always will have its limits.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Europe’s overreliance on US military tech The US’s F-53 program purposefully limits the changes foreign customers can make to the jet’s software.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
In November, a judge rejected Nathan’s request to close off the courtroom and impose a gag order, which limits attorneys and investigators from making out-of-court statements about the case.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Federal law limits your liability to $50, and most major issuers waive that entirely.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Early reading failure permanently limits cognitive development.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The Mediterranean diet limits dairy (along with poultry and eggs) to one serving a day.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
But Nexstar needs waiver from the FCC, given a current ownership cap that limits entities from amassing stations that cover more than 39% of the country.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
California’s wolf management plan limits the measures that individuals and law enforcement officers can take to harm wolves or frighten them away.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
If the San Diego City Council and mayor want to charge locals who don’t live within city limits much more to park at Balboa Park, then why don’t other cities in San Diego County charge San Diego residents more to park in their cities?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
July pushes the genre of auto-fiction to new limits here.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
The scale of the challenge Precinct 2 went from managing roughly 20 miles of unincorporated roads to more than 200 miles as development continues outside city limits.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Democrats had pushed for limits on federal immigration enforcement in exchange for supporting the funding bill.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Sometimes this might require you to set limits with others, but the bigger part is probably an inside job.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
DeLauro, who was then-chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, helped revive them in 2021 by introducing more limits and new rules aiming to help with transparency.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
All of them touched in some way by one woman’s ageless quest to find her limits and go beyond them.
—Will Graves, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Enjoying some time for herself and setting limits have also become bigger priorities after more than a decade in the game.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
So the negativity with Erik always will have its limits.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limits
Verb
-
Protesters have urged local officers to limit cooperation with ICE as much as possible, while Davis has said state law restricts the department’s discretion.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance last October that restricts the use of these zones for federal immigration enforcement.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One song on Laughter in Summer defines Copeland’s evolution, both musical and spiritual.—
Matthew Blackwell,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And while that certainly defines Isakov’s own brand, the resort reality is more complex than that.—
David G. Allan Feb 15,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For example, setback limitations for wind energy conversion facilities cannot be more than three times the total height of the wind turbine between the turbine location and an abutting dwelling.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Until earlier this week, limitations with Guthrie's doorbell camera meant law enforcement had difficulty putting together an image of a person related to the crime.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While some ferns are compact, others have a massive spread and towering heights.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The system measures jump heights, air times, and landing speeds in real time, producing heat maps and graphic overlays that break down each program—all instantaneously.—
Maurizio Arseni,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In an industry that often confines its actors, especially women and especially Black women, Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth and courage.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the special filmed at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Fleming bounds across the stage sharing his takes on masculinity, conga lines, Trader Joes, Oreos, NPR, dog breeds and more.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Each time Ivy's owner, Ryan, draws nearer, the dog fakes him out and bounds away, tail wagging.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Paxton’s office is contesting the boundaries of the district and wants the land tied to The Meadow development removed.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
What readers are saying The comments largely emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and establishing mutual standards when moving in with a partner.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a recent interview, Fennell described the film’s restraint as an acknowledgment that her interpretation could never capture the depths of Brontë’s masterwork.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The biggest crude oil tankers, VLCCs—yes, they’re called Very Large Crude Carriers—either couldn’t dock or fill up all the way at Texas ports because of the shallower water depths.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limits. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
