confine
1 of 2noun
W. A. Nolen E. S. Muskie Frank Newmanconfine
2 of 2verb
intransitive verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
Noun
- bound
- boundary
- cap
- ceiling
- end
- extent
- limit
- limitation
- line
- termination
Verb
- cap
- circumscribe
- hold down
- limit
- restrict
Example Sentences
David E. Hoffman, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 The most apparent reason to confine AI would be to stop it from deplorable acts. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 May 2022 In one adventure, Gerard is penned within Dartmoor prison, an institution opened in 1809 to confine soldiers and sailors captured by Britain in a war with France that had already lasted 16 years. Stephen Brumwell, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2022 First the eastern and then the western halves of the city were to close businesses, suspend public transportation and confine residents in their buildings so that mass testing could be carried out. New York Times, 1 Apr. 2022 The lockdown of China’s most populous city, which started in parts of Shanghai 10 days ago and has since been expanded to confine practically all of its 26 million residents at home, has massively disrupted daily life and business. NBC News, 6 Apr. 2022 Finding smart ways to control and confine that plasma will be key to unlocking the potential of nuclear fusion, which has been mooted as the clean energy source of the future for decades. Amit Katwala, Wired, 16 Feb. 2022 Organization papers filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission confine the PAC to independent spending on races for governor and the five other statewide constitutional offices. Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 14 Feb. 2022 Imagine never having to wear a brassiere, a garment designed to confine, control and hide the human breast! Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2022 Time, 14 Sep. 2022 Ultimately, Billboard charts are just tools to help fans and industry stakeholders sift through data, and by no means are meant to confine the infinite creativity that the artists on all these charts share. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 The president tends to confine himself to lamenting his own loss. Karl Rove, WSJ, 29 June 2022 Much like at Grand Canyon, Yellowstone’s visitors tend to confine themselves to a few select areas, generally centered around boardwalks and geysers, leaving the rest of the park fair game for intrepid wanderers. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 23 June 2022 However, Hmcity doesn’t disclose how many lumens these lights generate, so confine them to illuminating small spaces. Kaz Weida, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 Officials were careful a a news conference Tuesday to reiterate that monkeypox does not confine itself to any particular group of people. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2022 Don't limit yourself today -- try to break past the boundaries that normally confine you! Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2022 These storms could be of the more summer-like microburst variety that confine the more intense weather over a smaller area. Leigh Morgan, al, 21 May 2022 See More Word History
Noun
Middle English confynyes, borrowed from Latin confīnia, plural of confīnium "common boundary, limit, border," from confīnis "having a common boundary" (from con- con- + -fīnis, adjective derivative of fīnis "boundary, limit, ending") + -ium, suffix of compounded nouns — more at final entry 1
Verb
borrowed from Middle French confiner "to be adjacent, restrain within limits," probably borrowed from Italian confinare, derivative of confine "boundary line, limit," noun derivative from neuter of Latin confīnis "having a common boundary" — more at confine entry 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1523, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
confine
verb
Medical Definition
confine
transitive verb
Legal Definition
confine
transitive verb
confine 1 of 2
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- restrict
- limit
- tighten
- circumscribe
- cap
- hinder
- impede
- narrow
- obstruct
- hold down
- suppress
- block
- hamper
- modify
- constrict
- lessen
- bar
- squeeze
- quell
- repress
- number
- contract
- pinch
- qualify
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exceed
- broaden
- expand
- widen
- overextend
- overreach
Synonyms & Similar Words
- imprison
- jail
- intern
- incarcerate
- detain
- restrain
- restrict
- commit
- immure
- limit
- constrain
- arrest
- jug
- catch
- capture
- shut
- apprehend
- gate
- lock (up)
- bar
- seize
- nab
- keep
- bind
- hold
- impress
- impound
- shanghai
- pinch
- shackle
- trammel
- handcuff
- enchain
- fetter
- manacle
- pick up
- bust
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberate
- free
- release
- discharge
- emancipate
- unchain
- enfranchise
- unbind
- manumit
- unfetter
- uncage
confine
2 of 2noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- reach
- scope
- sweep
- extent
- ambit
- width
- pursuit
- breadth
- amplitude
- ken
- subject
- territory
- occupation
- profession
- racket
- vocation
- compass
- study
- dimension(s)
- area
- subfield
- turf
- subspecialty
- frontier
- bailiwick
- discipline
- realm
- sphere
- walk
- front
- department
- element
- province
- circle
- field
- domain
- arena
- specialty
- kingdom
- firmament
- precinct
- business
- game
- fiefdom
- line
- demesne
- terrain
- fief
- barony
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of confine are circumscribe, limit, and restrict. While all these words mean "to set bounds for," confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.
The words circumscribe and confine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.
The words limit and confine can be used in similar contexts, but limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go.
The meanings of restrict and confine largely overlap; however, restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.