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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imprisoning

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

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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 Despite the unknowns confining the Delgado family to their house, Robinson says The Last House is at its heart an optimistic movie. — Barry Levitt, Time, 7 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 The requirement to add wheels increases costs and can limit where these homes are allowed, due to zoning restrictions, often confining them to mobile home parks. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 One person was cited on suspicion of unlawfully capturing and confining wildlife. — Isabel Beer, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 Bell reviewed testimony from CDC officials and an outside medical expert concerning Perryman’s challenge to an earlier order confining her to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. — ABC News, 16 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confining

Verb

That could make the foldable iPhone a particularly niche product, limiting its sales — a fact that may limit upside for Apple stock.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
British Columbia Wildfire Service spokesperson Nicole Bonnett said the smoke lingering over the fire has reduced visibility, limiting the use of air tankers and water-skimming aircraft.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 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

Meanwhile, most of the industry's leading players contend that restricting use of the models would be to our own detriment and would place too much power in the hands of too few companies.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
The United States should expect Beijing to continue to wield its agriculture sector for geopolitical influence, whether through curtailing imports of food, restricting exports of select commodities, or both.

— Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of restricting

Verb

When individuals and institutions have spoken out against policy toward Israel, the president has wielded the power of the state to attack them, withholding funding from universities and deporting and jailing protesters.

— Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
Critics say the 12-year rule of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has marked a crackdown on civil society and jailing of political opponents.

— Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 20 July 2026

Definition of jailing

Verb

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
Likewise, taking challenging courses, engaging in summer research, interning in an area of interest, or pursuing an extracurricular activity deeply can all be meaningful endeavors.

— Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 1 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

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confines

confining

confirm

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“Confining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confining. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of confining

verb

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