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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The second gain was made on an outbreaking route that, by design, took the receiver out of bounds.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Injuries Kittle was pushed out of bounds on a 6-yard reception and grabbed the back of his lower right leg.
—Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
As such, cryptocurrency prices are important to the market, with their impact stretching well beyond the bounds of the traditional crypto sphere.
—Malana Vantyler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
Some of Miami’s 23 turnovers were a function of OKC’s attacking defense, but others were simply careless, including an over-and-back violation by Jaime Jaquez; Dru Smith and Pelle Larsson passes to nobody in particular; and Bam Adebayo failing to grab a catchable pass that sailed out of bounds.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Purdy had a chance to get out of bounds with a second on the clock but fumbled beforehand, causing the clock to run out.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Purdy scrambled 7 yards to the Eagles’ 37-yard line, then fumbled out of bounds to end the half.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
Injuries Kittle was pushed out of bounds on a 6-yard reception and grabbed the back of his lower right leg.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
As my guide Nicolas Jeanroy preps his truffle gear, which looks like a collection of garden tools, his canine partner, Taïga, bounds up.
—Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
And speaking of guest stars doing all of the trio’s investigative work for them, Richard Kind then bounds into the room (as Richard Kinds are wont to do) with a huge development of his own.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Within moments, the rangy 29-year-old actor Harris Dickinson bounds down an exterior staircase and shakes my hand.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
While the immediate retooling impacts the auto workforce across the state, the shifts also affect the international competition where experts think China and Europe are leaps and bounds ahead of American EV technology and adoption.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
Long before the eighties, this idea—that an ordinary New Yorker, pushed past endurance by street crime, might turn vigilante—lay within the bounds of the civic imagination.
—Verb
Age of Imprisonment both controls and performs leaps and bounds better than its predecessors.
—Cite this Entry
“Bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bounds. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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