1
as in to limit
to set bounds or an upper limit for
circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse
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Recent Examples of circumscribe
Imagine circumscribing topics of conservation with yellow police tape around them – topics that almost instantly trigger conflict.
—
Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The junta has pledged to stage elections within a year, even though its capacity to hold a vote—even a sham one—seems hugely circumscribed, both by war and by the March earthquake.
—Ye Myo Hein, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
My mother-in-law had gallbladder problems that greatly circumscribed her choice of meals.
—Hazlitt, 2 Apr. 2025
Similarly, the tradition of the filibuster—which increases the leverage of individual senators and circumscribes the majority—has grown tenuous.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
The junta has pledged to stage elections within a year, even though its capacity to hold a vote—even a sham one—seems hugely circumscribed, both by war and by the March earthquake.
—Ye Myo Hein, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
My mother-in-law had gallbladder problems that greatly circumscribed her choice of meals.
—Hazlitt, 2 Apr. 2025
Similarly, the tradition of the filibuster—which increases the leverage of individual senators and circumscribes the majority—has grown tenuous.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumscribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribe
Verb
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We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
11 July 2025
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This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated July 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Changeable tastes and desires define your next four months.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
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Tons of shoppers are going after this Maybelline liquid blush that provides a natural yet pigmented flush, as well as this CoverGirl mascara that lengthens and defines lashes in one fell swoop.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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North Korea restricts freedom of movement and suffers from persistent economic hardships, with around 60% of North Koreans estimated to be in poverty.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
5 July 2025
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Cincinnati is restricting nighttime rentals of Red Bikes and electric scooters in the urban core over the Fourth of July weekend.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The fire was initially confined and contained, with multiple strategies employed to protect structures, facilities, and infrastructure.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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In one study, researchers induced postnatal stress in a mouse (confining her, forcing her to swim) and separated her from her pups at unpredictable intervals.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribe. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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