1
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
such circumscriptions on the freedom of speech are antithetical to a free and open society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limitation
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
electronic monitoring bracelets are sometimes used to impose a circumscription of movement on people awaiting trial
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circumscription
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—
New York Times, 28 May 2022
Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous.
—Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
New York Times, 28 May 2022
Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous.
—Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscription
Noun
-
Free of the restrictions of their previous IP work with franchises like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, AdHoc can begin showing audiences what their house style and sensibilities look like.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The Pentagon said that more than 60 correspondents signed on to its new restrictions, with major news outlets as well as conservative sources like Newsmax and The Washington Times shunning the new policy.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
China’s newest aircraft carrier may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier, two former US carrier officers say, a substantial combat limitation for a vessel meant to revolutionize Beijing’s fleet.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The growing demand for sustainable transport, combined with the limitations of public infrastructure, has made personal electric vehicles—particularly e-scooters—a common choice for modern commuters.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Historically, there hasn’t been a cost-effective way to make donation work over dumping, and while companies want to do the right thing, the financial constraints prevent them from doing so.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Alternatively, the ratio could reflect a fundamental constraint on heat exchange.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscription. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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