circumscribed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In between are Egyptian vultures, which use rocks to crack open ostrich eggs—genuine tool use—but when presented with rocks and chicken eggs simply cannot figure out what to do, suggesting a rather circumscribed “intelligence.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

As recently as the noncooperation movement in 1920-22, women played a far more circumscribed role.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

The family shame around Mitchell’s violent death prevented me from understanding his full legacy, and ultimately circumscribed the meaning of his life and art.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2025

As befits a creation story, “Furiosa” tracks Furiosa from childhood to young adulthood, a downward spiral that takes her from freedom to captivity and, in time, circumscribed sovereignty.

From New York Times • May 15, 2024

On the other hand, the rhythmless is unlimited, and the speech should be circumscribed but not by meter; for what is unbounded is unpleasant and unrecognizable.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith