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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


circumscribe

verb

Definition: to encircle, confine, or limit something

Synonyms: encircle, draw, limit, restrict, confine

Antonyms: free, disentangle, liberate, unravel, extricate

Tips: Circumscribe is derived from the Latin circumscribere, "to draw a line around, limit, confine." This idea of drawing a circle around something has come to denote setting limits. Think of being limited and confined to what is in the circle. Use circumscribe as a more sophisticated way of saying limit, restrict, or confine.

Usage Examples:

The Civil War began when the South tried to secede from the Union and circumscribe their own, separate states. (encircle, draw)

My wife has circumscribed my number of "guys-nights" to 3 nights a month. (limited, restricted)

The special forces team circumscribed the terrorist camp before attacking the enemy. (surrounded)

When we set up camp, we circumscribed the fire pit with large rocks. (surrounded, confined)


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