confine
noun
con·fine
| \ ˈkän-ˌfīn also kən-ˈfīn
\
\
Definition of confine
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 confines plural
a
: something (such as borders or walls) that encloses
outside the confines of the office or hospital— W. A. Nolen
also
: something that restrains
escape from the confines of soot and clutter — E. S. Muskie
b
: scope sense 3
work within the confines of a small group— Frank Newman
confine
verb
con·fine
| \ kən-ˈfīn
\
\
confined;
confining
Definition of confine (Entry 2 of 2)
archaic
: border
1a
: to hold within a location
Dikes confined the floodwaters.
b
: imprison
2
: to keep within limits
will confine my remarks to one subject
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Synonyms & Antonyms for confine
Synonyms: Verb
cap, circumscribe, hold down, limit, restrict
Antonyms: Verb
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Examples of confine in a Sentence
Verb
will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss the accused was confined until the trial could take placeRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
An icebox cake, for the unfamiliar, is an easy summer dessert that comes together in the chilly confines of your refrigerator. — Jessie Sheehan, Washington Post, "How to make an icebox cake, the coolest (literally!) no-bake dessert," 1 Aug. 2019 This collective endeavor to live free unfolds in the confines of the carceral landscape. — Longreads, "A Minor Figure," 20 July 2019 Anyone who’s witnessed Sigmund’s expansive menagerie of kid-like characters at the Children’s Theatre Company will appreciate seeing his mania and moods in the cozy confines of the Jungle Theater space. — Dominic P. Papatola, Twin Cities, "Review: ‘Stinkers’ has some sweet moments, but has some growing-up to do," 20 July 2019 But the latter must to some extent inform the former for Christian citizens — which is to say, for those of us who believe that religious principle has a home in the public square as well as in the confines of the church. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Judge, if You Must, but Curb the Glee: Notes from Las Vegas," 18 July 2019 In the cramped confines of the lunar module, Armstrong’s backpack smashed against the ascent engine arming switch — the critical one needed to light the engine and begin the flight back to Earth — and broke it off. — NBC News, "Apollo 11: Eleven things you never knew about NASA's landmark moon mission," 14 July 2019 Jones has said publicly on his television program that McGrath can’t win statewide coming off the heels of losing in the confines of central Kentucky’s more moderate congressional district. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Amy McGrath says she will take on Mitch McConnell in 2020 US Senate race," 9 July 2019 Both Castro and O'Rourke returned to Texas after the debates, holding dueling events in the Democratic-friendly confines of Austin, James Barragan and Rebekah Allen report. — Dallas News, "Castro riding debate wave, redistricting, census rulings could affect Texas, Paxton prosecutor wants out," 2 July 2019 From the frills of New York City, mother and daughter were back in the familiar confines of a steamy gym. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Jillian Hayes, sister of NBA first-round pick, talks about commitment to play at Cincinnati," 27 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Independent media are now confined largely to websites read by a few people in Budapest’s liberal bubble. — The Economist, "How Viktor Orban hollowed out Hungary’s democracy," 29 Aug. 2019 Based on a 2017 study, 28 percent of inmates being held on a bond of $5,000 or less never posted bond and remained confined to jail throughout their entire pre-trial court process. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "High-level talks could result in the release of 500 inmates from Cuyahoga County Jail, sources say," 15 Aug. 2019 The researchers first needed to understand whether the unusual parasites were confined just to Southern Maryland or had a larger habitat. — Lila Thulin, Smithsonian, "A New Species of Leech Is Discovered Near Washington, D.C.," 15 Aug. 2019 Last season's joint Golden Boot winner actually had his feet up for the majority of Liverpool's opening game, with Mane confined to the substitutes bench after a summer of hard graft with Senegal. — SI.com, "Fantasy Premier League: Ones to Watch Ahead of Gameweek 2," 13 Aug. 2019 Spreading fast First identified in Taiwanese soil samples in the early 1990s, the destructive fungus remained long confined to Southeast Asia and Australia, until its presence was confirmed in both the Middle East and Africa in 2013. — National Geographic, "The banana is one step closer to disappearing," 12 Aug. 2019 But Rotker said the group is still concerned about teen inmates being confined to their rooms too much and recent increases in use of pepper spray and restraints. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Conditions are improving at Lincoln Hills youth prison but cells are still not 'suicide proof,' new report says," 1 July 2019 One of the victims, whose names were withheld to protect her privacy, described being confined to a bedroom for more than 700 days on orders from Raniere as punishment for showing interest in another man. — Tom Hays, chicagotribune.com, "Purported NXIVM self-help guru convicted in lurid sex-trafficking case," 19 June 2019 With so much natural light flooding the main living space, choosing a dark color on the walls would be too intense and make the space feel confined. — OregonLive.com, "Gray paint makes Sauvie Island floating house look bigger, brighter (photos)," 26 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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