LIMIT Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'limit' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of limit are circumscribe , confine , and restrict . While all these words mean "to set bounds for," limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go. // visits are limited to 30 minutes

Q: When could 'circumscribe' be used to replace 'limit'?

In some situations, the words circumscribe and limit are roughly equivalent. However, circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries. // the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

Q: When might 'confine' be a better fit than 'limit'?

While in some cases nearly identical to limit , confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering. // our choices were confined by finances

Q: When can 'restrict' be used instead of 'limit'?

The words restrict and limit can be used in similar contexts, but restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary. // laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press

limit 1 of 2

verb

Definition of limit next

as in to restrict

to set bounds or an upper limit for limit the note to a few words

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to define

to mark the limits of adjectives limit the meanings of nouns

Synonyms & Similar Words

limit

2 of 2

noun

ˈli-mət

as in limitation

a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go there was no limit to the number of challenges they faced

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in height

the most extreme or advanced point those bratty kids have pushed my patience to the limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word limit different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of limit are circumscribe, confine, and restrict. While all these words mean "to set bounds for," limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go.

visits are limited to 30 minutes

When could circumscribe be used to replace limit?

In some situations, the words circumscribe and limit are roughly equivalent. However, circumscribe stresses a restriction on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries.

the work of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed

When might confine be a better fit than limit?

While in some cases nearly identical to limit, confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping, fettering, or hampering.

our choices were confined by finances

When can restrict be used instead of limit?

The words restrict and limit can be used in similar contexts, but restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.

laws intended to restrict the freedom of the press

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 limit

Verb

In addition, prosecutors allude, financial fraud is not a criminal act limited to younger people. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025 Losing the ByteDance algorithm through a sale of TikTok would limit the app's ability to serve its users. —

Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025

Noun

Safety features such as Maximum Depth Protection, which prevents the sub from descending beyond its 300-meter (1,000-foot) depth limit, and the Deadman’s Switch (which a passenger can trigger to automatically ascend if the pilot is incapacitated) give some sense of the technology behind the design. —

Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2025 The Supreme Court seemed poised on Wednesday to reject a legal theory that puts tight limits on lawsuits seeking to hold police officers accountable for using deadly force. —

Adam Liptak, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for limit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for limit

Verb

Wiles — who's intent on imposing structure while carefully avoiding restricting Trump — is populating the White House with fewer people.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
More recently, the House Freedom Caucus has floated a proposal to offset the cost of raising the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions for individuals and families by restricting state and local tax deductions for corporations.

— Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025