off-limits

adjective

Definition of off-limitsnext
as in private

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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 off-limits Shellfish harvesting in the river is still off-limits, according to the city's message. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The area is secured by a fence and off-limits to the public. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 June 2026 Comments, condolences, and questions about her are off-limits during the live broadcast. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 June 2026 She is buried on an island at the center of the ornamental lake known as The Round Oval within Althorp Park's Pleasure Garden, and her gravesite is off-limits to the public. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-limits
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-limits
  1. private
  2. closed
  3. restricted
  4. limited
  5. exclusive
Adjective
  • For context, the median private SaaS company generates about $141,000 of revenue per employee, while the leading AI-native companies are running at twenty times that or more.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Greece’s firefighting department said Sunday the fire apparently began from sparks emitted by a faulty power line transporting electricity from a private wind generator facility to the main electricity network.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • This strategy is different from that of closed-model labs like OpenAI and Anthropic whose commercial position hinges on maintaining proprietary access to their most capable systems.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Some end up working as part-time dog walkers, babysitters, house cleaners, or reservationists, all in pursuit of a happy client and a closed deal.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of closed
Adjective
  • For Cheogyal, now, leaving his restricted homeland for Dharamsala has been like stepping into a new world where his culture – and celebration of its spiritual leader – are all around him.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Emphasizing that any drone can be a threat in a restricted area, the FBI referred to an incident last year during the LA fires when a man flew his drone into a Super Scooper water dropping airship, grounding it for five days.
    — Tom Wait, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of restricted
Adjective
  • There are normally no checks at borders between members of the EU’s internal Schengen Area, though they can be introduced for a limited time in exceptional circumstances.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Due to its limited capacity, Miami City Hall will not be used as an early voting site for this election.
    — Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of limited
Adjective
  • The story may have been embellished by early biographers, but records show that Brunelleschi eventually gained recognition as the exclusive inventor and director of the dome.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • In exclusive conversations with Vanity Fair, key creatives behind the film and recording of the soundtrack say that maybe—just maybe—there’s hope for the album’s release after all.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Definition of exclusive

Browse Nearby Words

off-kilter
off-limits
off-load
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off-limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-limits. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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