Circumscribed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˈsər-kəm-ˌskrīb/ cir·cum·scribe

Meaning & Definition of Circumscribed

Circumscribed (verb)

  1. to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly
  2. to define or mark off carefully
  3. to draw a line around

Circumscribed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having distinct or certain limits

    "the powers of that state's governor are so sharply circumscribed that often his hands are tied by the state legislature"

    similar: bounded, defined, definite, determinate, finite, limited, measured, narrow, restricted
    related: modified, qualified, detailed, exact, precise, specific, confined, constricted, moderate, modest, minute, puny, small, tiny, determined, fixed, settled
    opposite: boundless, dimensionless, endless, illimitable, immeasurable, indefinite, infinite, limitless, measureless, unbounded, undefined, unlimited, unmeasured
    near: bottomless, countless, incalculable, inestimable, inexhaustible, innumerable, unfathomable, unqualified, unreserved, general, indeterminate, nebulous, vague, enlarged, escalated, expanded, copious, plenitudinous, plentiful, big, bulky, bumper, considerable, extensive, goodly, great, handsome, hefty, hulking, jumbo, king-size, large, largish, overscale, oversize, respectable, sizable, substantial, super, vast, voluminous, whacking, epic, grandiose, major, ample, broad, comprehensive, cosmopolitan, expansive, global, inclusive, sweeping, universal, whole

Circumscribed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set bounds or an upper limit for

    "circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse"

    similar: capped, confined, held down, limited, restricted
    related: barred, blocked, hampered, hindered, impeded, obstructed, constricted, contracted, lessened, narrowed, pinched, squeezed, tightened, quelled, repressed, suppressed, numbered, modified, qualified
    opposite: exceeded
    near: broadened, expanded, widened, overextended, overreached

  2. to mark the limits of

    "Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east"

    similar: bounded, defined, delimited, demarcated, demarked, limited, marked (off), terminated
    related: controlled, determined, governed, delineated, described

Related Entry: Circumscribe (verb)

Circumscribe is a different word from Circumscribed. The synonyms below are for circumscribe, not for circumscribed.

  1. to set bounds or an upper limit for

    "circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse"

    similar: cap, confine, hold down, limit, restrict
    related: bar, block, hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct, constrict, contract, lessen, narrow, pinch, squeeze, tighten, quell, repress, suppress, number, modify, qualify
    opposite: exceed
    near: broaden, expand, widen, overextend, overreach

  2. to mark the limits of

    "Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east"

    similar: bound, define, delimit, demarcate, demark, limit, mark (off), terminate
    related: control, determine, govern, delineate, describe

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Circumscribed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Circumscribed:

bounded, defined, definite, determinate, finite, limited, measured, narrow, restricted, capped, confined, held down, delimited, demarcated, demarked, marked (off), terminated

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Circumscribed

Words with the opposite meaning of Circumscribed:

boundless, dimensionless, endless, illimitable, immeasurable, indefinite, infinite, limitless, measureless, unbounded, undefined, unlimited, unmeasured, exceeded

Related Words for Circumscribed

modified, qualified, detailed, exact, precise, specific, constricted, moderate, modest, minute, puny, small, tiny, determined, fixed, settled, barred, blocked, hampered, hindered, impeded, obstructed, contracted, lessened, narrowed, pinched, squeezed, tightened, quelled, repressed

Near Antonyms of Circumscribed

bottomless, countless, incalculable, inestimable, inexhaustible, innumerable, unfathomable, unqualified, unreserved, general, indeterminate, nebulous, vague, enlarged, escalated, expanded, copious, plenitudinous, plentiful, big, bulky, bumper, considerable, extensive, goodly, great, handsome, hefty, hulking, jumbo

Word Forms of Circumscribed

Inflections: circumscribing, circumscribes

Origin & Etymology of Circumscribed

Middle English circumscriven, from Latin circumscribere, from circum- + scribere to write, draw scribe

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Circumscribed

What does "Circumscribed" mean?

"Circumscribed" means to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Circumscribed"?

Other words for "Circumscribed" include bounded, defined, definite, determinate, finite, limited, measured and narrow. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Circumscribed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Circumscribed"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Circumscribed". Common alternatives include bounded, defined, definite, determinate, finite, limited, measured, narrow, restricted and capped.

What is the opposite of "Circumscribed"?

Antonyms of "Circumscribed" include boundless, dimensionless, endless, illimitable, immeasurable, indefinite, infinite and limitless. Near antonyms include bottomless, countless, incalculable and inestimable.

How do you use "Circumscribed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Circumscribed" in a sentence: "the powers of that state's governor are so sharply circumscribed that often his hands are tied by the state legislature"; "circumscribed his enthusiasm so as not to make the losing side feel worse"; "Lake Michigan circumscribes the city of Chicago on the east".

Is "Circumscribed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Circumscribed" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Circumscribed"?

"Circumscribed" is pronounced /ˈsər-kəm-ˌskrīb/ and divided into syllables as cir·cum·scribe.

What is the origin of the word "Circumscribed"?

"Circumscribed" comes from Middle English circumscriven, from Latin circumscribere, from circum- + scribere to write, draw scribe. First known use: 15th century.