CIRCUMSCRIPTION Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

circumscription

noun

ˌsər-kəm-ˈskrip-shən

Definition of circumscription

as in restriction

something that limits one's freedom of action or choice such circumscriptions on the freedom of speech are antithetical to a free and open society

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in limitation

the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries electronic monitoring bracelets are sometimes used to impose a circumscription of movement on people awaiting trial

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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 circumscription Thanks to its constitutional provenance, presidential pardon power faces little legal circumscription and minimal disclosure requirements for clemency advocacy efforts. — Willem Marx, Vanity Fair, 18 Feb. 2026 Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous. — Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020 Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription. — Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscription

Noun

The resulting restrictions can, in turn, constrain power generation and hamper economic growth.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Lamy, now with the Jacques Delors Institute, was one of the authors of a recent policy paper that called for restrictions on Chinese exports using a quota system — an idea that the EU has now embraced.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of restriction

Noun

Airscope overcomes this limitation by delivering a large field of view in a design light enough for animals to wear freely.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Meta insisted its recent operational incidents come from technical limitations rather than any partiality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitation

Noun

This is increasingly important as water scarcity places pressure on communities and infrastructure, even in traditionally water-secure regions, leading to restrictions and, in some cases, constraints on power generation.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Tehran fears that surrendering its maritime leverage first would invite fresh demands; Washington worries that easing pressure would reward coercion without securing lasting constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraint

Browse Nearby Words

circumscribing

circumscription

circumscriptions

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Style

“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscription. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of circumscription

noun

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