CIRCUMSCRIBING Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

circumscribing

verb

present participle of circumscribe

as in limiting

to set bounds or an upper limit for circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in defining

to mark the limits of Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east

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 circumscribing In quick succession, the Court began circumscribing Congress’s ability to define rights and act on its constitutional imagination. — Duncan Hosie, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026 This wouldn’t be the first time the Court has avoided a head-on fight with the other branches, especially after Congress makes noise about circumscribing its authority. — Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscribing

Verb

Defects introduced during those steps can disrupt the electronic processes needed for efficient light emission, potentially limiting a material’s performance even when its underlying crystal structure is favorable.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
In other words, having a semi-capable infrastructure or limiting what data is available to the AI could cripple your chances.

— Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of limiting

Verb

Medicare Advantage plans shift costs to enrollees A defining feature of Florida’s Medicare Advantage market is the prevalence of plans charging no monthly premium beyond the beneficiary’s required Part B expense.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
From Europe, Dries Van Noten’s poster prints are a definitive collector’s item, the skirts at Prada are zeitgeist-defining, and Saint Laurent’s gold pieces are instantly iconic.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of defining

Verb

Marshall has consistently voted against Senate War Powers Resolutions aimed at halting or restricting military operations in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
The episode raised concerns across the technology industry about government officials restricting access to powerful systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of restricting

Browse Nearby Words

circumscribes

circumscribing

circumscription

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Circumscribing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscribing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of circumscribing

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes