1
as in restricts
to set bounds or an upper limit for
limit the note to a few words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in defines
to mark the limits of
adjectives limit the meanings of nouns
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in limitations
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
2
as in heights
the most extreme or advanced point
those bratty kids have pushed my patience to the limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 limits
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
This propulsion system limits responsiveness and constrains the precision with which a drone can control its position and attitude simultaneously.
—Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the president can authorize military actions, but the Act limits troops from being deployed for more than 90 days unless war is formally declared.
—George Petras, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
This limits the damage if one account is compromised.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
And so that really limits adopters.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Along with valid photo identification, occupants must also provide a statement from a licensed physician stating that a permanent disability severely limits aspects of their daily lives.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026
Supporters argue the requirement limits students’ ability to pursue other coursework, including career and technical education.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The league limits how many charter flights teams can take in a season.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Congress has set firm limits to this, including allowing the retirement of no more than eight aircraft a year because of fears of a capability gap, with the fleet consisting of 26 aircraft at last count.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The complaint also alleges that the project is violating ordinances setting limits on lighting and noise levels, and an ordinance that prohibits storage of combustible materials, including diesel generators.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Ceremonies were held in other churches, with limits on how many could attend.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
If not, accepting strict limits on uranium enrichment and a comprehensive inspection program is the only other acceptable option outside of continuing and escalating the war.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
As the climate changes, some of the desert crops that have been cultivated to grow here are reaching their evolutionary limits, while others may serve as a path forward for growing food at a time where the climate is changing faster than plants can adapt.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
If someone can break into the personal email of the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, your inbox is not off limits.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Beyond those limits, the story of our ultimate origin remains meager.
—Big Think, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Those problems, along with the potential autism overpayments, have drawn the scrutiny of federal regulators and Republicans in Congress, who sent a letter to state officials asking for more information about how the state detects and limits fraud.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
This propulsion system limits responsiveness and constrains the precision with which a drone can control its position and attitude simultaneously.
—Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the president can authorize military actions, but the Act limits troops from being deployed for more than 90 days unless war is formally declared.
—George Petras, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
This limits the damage if one account is compromised.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
And so that really limits adopters.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Along with valid photo identification, occupants must also provide a statement from a licensed physician stating that a permanent disability severely limits aspects of their daily lives.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026
Supporters argue the requirement limits students’ ability to pursue other coursework, including career and technical education.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The league limits how many charter flights teams can take in a season.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Both allow workers to contribute pretax money through payroll deductions up to certain limits ($24,500 in 2026, with an additional $8,000 catch-up contribution for those 50 and older, plus an additional $11,250 for those 60 to 63).
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Congress has set firm limits to this, including allowing the retirement of no more than eight aircraft a year because of fears of a capability gap, with the fleet consisting of 26 aircraft at last count.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The complaint also alleges that the project is violating ordinances setting limits on lighting and noise levels, and an ordinance that prohibits storage of combustible materials, including diesel generators.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Ceremonies were held in other churches, with limits on how many could attend.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
If not, accepting strict limits on uranium enrichment and a comprehensive inspection program is the only other acceptable option outside of continuing and escalating the war.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
As the climate changes, some of the desert crops that have been cultivated to grow here are reaching their evolutionary limits, while others may serve as a path forward for growing food at a time where the climate is changing faster than plants can adapt.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
If someone can break into the personal email of the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, your inbox is not off limits.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Beyond those limits, the story of our ultimate origin remains meager.
—Big Think, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limits
Verb
-
So the question was whether this law then restricts her free speech rights.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This not only restricts the robot’s movement but can also make retrieving the device from the pool a frustrating task.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The kind that defines his game.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Among them have been intrepid, talented chefs, undeterred by the cold, who have slowly but surely created a remarkably diverse food scene, using the agricultural bounty that defines the region.—
David Farley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While Fisher’s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That said, there are some important limitations to know.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An item that is adjustable will allow the user to lock in specific heights that work best for them.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This is a rendering of Portman Holdings' plan for Amsterdam Walk, which has undergone multiple revisions to tweak its building heights and density.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In an industry that often confines its actors, especially women and especially Black women, Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth and courage.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Noah’s technical ability on snare drum is leaps and bounds ahead of other students his age, and his consistently excellent drumming anchors our drumline’s sound.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some commenters called for clearer boundaries from airline staff.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
February 19 – March 20 Alliances work best with clear boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maurizio Cattelan, who also wielded a banana with profound memetic effectiveness, is one of the few other artists whose work has this kind of stickiness, but his recent sculptures have leaned more on the public’s appetite for stunts, whereas Rødland plumbs more mysterious depths.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Sun-chasers need not look far to christen their own spot on the shore, while divers plumb the depths to investigate a multitude of undersea wonders in this world-class diving destination.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limits. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
