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
Workers will also install 320 new electrical insulators to confine electricity in the third rail. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Delays expected with construction Friday night on BART’s Contra Costa line," 16 Aug. 2019 Like Davis before him, the proudly eclectic keyboardist has embraced jazz, while refusing to be confined by it. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Herbie Hancock talks music, Buddhism, new album with Kendrick Lamar, Wayne Shorter," 11 Aug. 2019 During his morning pro-am Wednesday, back stiffness caused Woods to confine his work to mostly chips and putts on the back nine. — Karen Crouse, New York Times, "In His Twilight, Tiger Woods Searches for the Bright Spots," 8 Aug. 2019 But some fractures may also heal if the pet owner is willing to confine the animal to a small crate for several weeks. — Tom Murphy, chicagotribune.com, "Pet owners have some tools to fight veterinary sticker shock," 11 July 2019 On Wednesday night, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio kept swerving into other candidates' lanes, talking over them, interrupting, wreaking verbal havoc on efforts to confine candidates within their allotted times. — Mark Z. Barabak, latimes.com, "Seven takeaways from Democratic debate Night 2: Sparks from Biden and Harris, honesty from Buttigieg," 27 June 2019 Nationwide, 70 percent of districts reported no incidents of having to restrict a student's ability to move freely or having to confine a student alone, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported. — Dallas News, "Texas schools are underreporting when students are restrained, federal watchdog finds," 25 June 2019 The problem accessing the drug does not appear to be confined to Arizona. — Stephanie Innes, azcentral, "Cheaper insulin 'nowhere to be found' in Arizona, pharmacies and advocates say," 24 June 2019 Without the need to confine smaller electric engines beneath the wing, they could be located almost anywhere on a plane’s body along with multiple smaller fans to propel the plane forward. — Michelle Z. Donahue, National Geographic, "What is turbulence—and how can you calm down about it?," 12 June 2019These 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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