Confine — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkän-ˌfīn/ (noun) /kən-ˈfīn/ (verb) con·fine

Meaning & Definition of Confine

Confine (noun)

  1. something (such as borders or walls) that encloses; also, something that restrains
  2. scope
  3. restriction

Confine (verb)

  1. border
  2. to hold within a location
  3. imprison

Confine (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set bounds or an upper limit for

    "will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss"

    similar: cap, circumscribe, 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 put in or as if in prison

    "the accused was confined until the trial could take place"

    similar: commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)
    related: constrain, limit, restrain, restrict, shut, bar, gate, apprehend, arrest, bust (slang), capture, catch, detain, nab, pick up, pinch, seize, impress, shanghai, hold, impound, keep, bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel
    opposite: discharge, free, liberate, release
    near: emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Confine (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in extent, scope

    similar: ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, subfield, subspecialty, territory, turf, study, subject, frontier, area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Confine

The most common words with a similar meaning to Confine:

cap, circumscribe, hold down, limit, restrict, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up), ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, subfield, subspecialty, territory, turf, study, subject, frontier, area, arena, bailiwick, barony

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Confine

Words with the opposite meaning of Confine:

exceed, discharge, free, liberate, release

Related Words for Confine

bar, block, hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct, constrict, contract, lessen, narrow, pinch, squeeze, tighten, quell, repress, suppress, number, modify, qualify, constrain, restrain, shut, gate, apprehend, arrest, bust, capture, catch, detain, nab

Near Antonyms of Confine

broaden, expand, widen, overextend, overreach, emancipate, enfranchise, manumit, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

Word Forms of Confine

Inflections: confined, confining

Derived words: confiner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Confine

Middle English confynyes, borrowed from Latin confīnia, plural of confīnium "common boundary, limit, border," from confīnis "having a common boundary" (from con- con- + -fīnis, adjective derivative of fīnis "boundary, limit, ending") + -ium, suffix of compounded nouns final:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Confine

Frequently Asked Questions about Confine

What does "Confine" mean?

"Confine" means something (such as borders or walls) that encloses; also, something that restrains. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: something (such as borders or walls) that encloses; also, something that restrains. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Confine"?

Other words for "Confine" include cap, circumscribe, hold down, limit, restrict, commit, immure and imprison. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Confine" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Confine"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Confine". Common alternatives include cap, circumscribe, hold down, limit, restrict, commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate and intern.

What is the opposite of "Confine"?

Antonyms of "Confine" include exceed, discharge, free, liberate and release. Near antonyms include broaden, expand, widen and overextend.

How do you use "Confine" in a sentence?

Examples of "Confine" in a sentence: "will confine my remarks to the subject we came here to discuss"; "the accused was confined until the trial could take place".

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

"Confine" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Confine" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Confine" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Confine"?

"Confine" is pronounced /ˈkän-ˌfīn/ as a noun and /kən-ˈfīn/ as a verb and divided into syllables as con·fine.