CONFINING Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

confining

verb

present participle of confine

as in limiting

to set bounds or an upper limit for will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imprisoning

to put in or as if in prison the accused was confined until the trial could take place

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 confining Frustrated with the confining nature of Japanese society, Kusama left for New York in 1957. — Kaori Kaneko, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 With Rear Window, Hitchcock and his collaborators miraculously craft an exhilarating, satisfying mystery-thriller while confining the protagonist to a single location. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 The judge will then determine whether the dogs should be legally designated as dangerous, which could result in strict requirements for confining the dogs or even in dogs being euthanized. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 For much of our history, few options existed between mass institutionalization in expensive and confining facilities on one end of the spectrum, and fully independent living absent any supports on the other end of the spectrum. — Barbara Merrill, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Color, line, and texture all play important roles in making a small garden feel expansive and inviting or confining and cramped. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026 The dragging chains had worn away all soft earth and grass, confining the dogs to circles of hard dirt. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 Use a summer-friendly baby carrier The combination of your body heat and the carrier’s confining space can make an infant hot and bothered within a matter of minutes. — Nancy Mattia, Parents, 8 July 2026 Plants are also unbothered by confining pavement and other urban challenges. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confining

Verb

Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, getting plenty of sleep and eating a protein-rich diet will also keep your skin healthy.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
Limiting offenses without also limiting defenses might allow the United States, in a crisis, to attempt a surprise attack on Russia or China and then rely on its powerful defenses to neutralize any surviving forces.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of limiting

Verb

The country’s remaining detention facilities are severely overcrowded while concerns have been raised about imprisoning gang members in parts of the country not currently under gang control.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Ilham Aliyev continued his father’s dictatorial legacy, imprisoning his critics and enriching his family and cronies, while polishing his country’s image by hosting Formula One events and the Eurovision Song Contest.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Definition of imprisoning

Verb

Compared to other changes—like restricting minor use to two hours per day and giving them the option to have a non-personalized feed—what, exactly, the limits on beauty filters will look like is still a bit fuzzy.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
The idea of restricting defenses against nuclear attack has long been a third rail in American politics, especially among Republicans.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of restricting

Verb

BigXthaPlug's Grandstand show at the Iowa State Fair went on despite his arrest and jailing in Texas.

— Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 22 Aug. 2026
New York assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a democratic socialist, spoke at a rally on Thursday protesting against jailing people who steal items, such as personal care products, as a result of living in poverty.

— Emily Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of jailing

Verb

Mary Gardner, 24, joined the home in the summer of 2024 while interning on Capitol Hill and preparing for her senior year at Catholic University.

— Windsor Johnston, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
Upon graduation, Aronow began interning at several high-profile companies including the Recording Academy, Geffen Records, and Mom + Pop Music, followed by gigs in digital marketing, event planning, and music supervision.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of interning

Verb

The goal is to reduce violence, get people proper resources, and avoid the cycle of incarcerating people dealing with poverty, addiction, and mental health.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026
Officials reinforced stay-at-home orders by erecting fences around some apartment buildings, essentially incarcerating occupants.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of incarcerating

Browse Nearby Words

confines

confining

confirm

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Confining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confining. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of confining

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes