1
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
such circumscriptions on the freedom of speech are antithetical to a free and open society
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2
as in limitation
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
electronic monitoring bracelets are sometimes used to impose a circumscription of movement on people awaiting trial
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Recent Examples of circumscription
Their circumscription, however, does not make Assad’s current priorities less dangerous.
—
Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—New York Times, 28 May 2022
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Lina Khatib, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2020
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—New York Times, 28 May 2022
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumscription
Noun
-
The ban on women driving has been lifted as have restrictions on their travel, education, and employment.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
OpenAI is looking to remove further restrictions on fundraising and contemplating changes in the structure to do that.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Exceeding these limitations can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Missile Defense Scenario Orbital sensors have their own limitations.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Padres, facing payroll constraints, are considering trading away key players to address their remaining needs for starting pitching and greater depth at multiple positions.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The core concern is that artificial general intelligence, or AGI—a system that surpasses humans in most regards—could potentially outmaneuver any constraints designed to control it, perhaps permanently disempowering humanity.—
Harry Booth / Paris,
TIME,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near circumscription
Cite this Entry
“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumscription. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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