1
as in limits
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go
the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
colored outside the bounds of the drawing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in defines
to mark the limits of
the country is bounded by water on two sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in borders
to serve as a border for
being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bounds
Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
King gained two yards and was stopped in bounds as the clock ticked.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Cooper then reaches the far sideline from the opposite hashmark to force Daniels out of bounds for no gain.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Mahomes is renowned for his ability to create something from nothing, scrambling for first downs when his receivers are covered or somehow finding a way to throw a pass while falling out of bounds or falling on his face.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still made a solid play, pushing Gray out of bounds backwards.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The gravitational-wave signal showed that the object left over after the collision exactly fits a theoretical construct known as the Kerr metric, which describes a rotating black hole within the bounds of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Ayomanor appeared to get his right elbow down inbounds before any other part of his body hit the white line out of bounds.
—Arnie Stapleton, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
That was totally out of bounds in terms of time constraints.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The duo begin a frantic game of hide-and-seek, with the rabbit running from one side of the tree to the other as the fawn bounds after it.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Devin Bale's punt went out of bounds at the Ole Miss 6.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
King gained two yards and was stopped in bounds as the clock ticked.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Cooper then reaches the far sideline from the opposite hashmark to force Daniels out of bounds for no gain.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Mahomes is renowned for his ability to create something from nothing, scrambling for first downs when his receivers are covered or somehow finding a way to throw a pass while falling out of bounds or falling on his face.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still made a solid play, pushing Gray out of bounds backwards.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The gravitational-wave signal showed that the object left over after the collision exactly fits a theoretical construct known as the Kerr metric, which describes a rotating black hole within the bounds of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Ayomanor appeared to get his right elbow down inbounds before any other part of his body hit the white line out of bounds.
—Arnie Stapleton, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
That was totally out of bounds in terms of time constraints.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
With technology growing by leaps and bounds every day, more and more tasks can be automated.
—Adam Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The duo begin a frantic game of hide-and-seek, with the rabbit running from one side of the tree to the other as the fawn bounds after it.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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