LIMITS Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

limits 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of limit

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

as in defines

to mark the limits of adjectives limit the meanings of nouns

Synonyms & Similar Words

limits

2 of 2

noun

plural of limit

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

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

Verb

Brazilian law limits presidents to two consecutive terms, but Lula left office before his current tenure. — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 The festival once drew about 100,000 visitors, but its present, smaller location limits the number of visitors and balloons, organizers said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026 Restricted intelligence is knowledge whose confidentiality, competitive sensitivity, contractual position, intellectual property or regulatory treatment limits its reuse. — Kelvin Cheema, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Ayad is besotted with her, and his besottedness limits the distance between her self-presentation and the novel’s depiction. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 This approach limits the amount of sophisticated physical AI required for each task. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 Abby Beck previously explained that state law already limits how close video gambling can be to schools and churches, but that the city could add places like parks to the list. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 Claiborne said state law limits the department from collecting more from customers than the cost of providing service. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Strategic placement limits Goatek to the forefoot where it’s needed most, while Fast Shot is used in other regions. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Both campaigns are also getting crucial assists in targeting Latino voters from independent expenditure groups, which aren’t bound by the same contribution limits as campaigns are. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The European Union’s second-largest economy has repeatedly broken the bloc’s rules on budget deficits and debt limits. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 These specs cover contract size, expiration dates, daily price limits, margin requirements, and more. — Bruce Blythe, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026 Intel made a big push to boost efficiency after its 14th-generation desktop chips, which were known for drawing a lot of power and easily hitting thermal limits. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 The procedure is banned in 13 states while others either have certain gestational limits or no limits, according to the organization. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 California courts have been dealing with those limits for decades. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Two spare pilots, aboard in case regional rerouting pushed the original crew past duty limits, took over and diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 How Floridians who seek compensation for damages from their insurers are seeing their claims rejected more often, in the wake of the sharp new limits on their ability to sue. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for limits

Verb

The notice cited the campus’ time, place and manner policy which restricts when, where and how students can hold protests and stated that sanctions up to expulsion may be imposed if the student is found responsible.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
From ancient times, various monastic orders have followed a more expansive form of brahmacharya, one that restricts eight types of engagement with the opposite gender.

— Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of restricts

Verb

First, the platform will provide tags that indicate which election markets are low volume, which Kalshi defines as those with less than $10,000.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Using the scholar’s own words, Baird lays out Said’s role in public life and defines one of his principle intellectual projects.

— Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of defines

Noun

There were limitations to the study, including the small group of volunteers, which consisted of more women than men, and a lack of variation in dog breeds, Li said.

— Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
That said, even the most detailed traceability records have their limitations.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitations

Noun

Philbrick, a seasoned and popular chronicler of the American past, is equally concerned with those who got trampled by the rush as with those who rode it to astonishing heights of wealth and influence.

— Richard Kreitner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
For about 40 years, business leaders have seen every significant wave of business software serve as a ladder, allowing small businesses to reach new heights.

— Bonnie Le Page, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of heights

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

Definition of confines

Verb

With the sprightly energy of a schoolboy, Jean-Paul Doron bounds into an empty creek, his red suede shoes scraping pale rocks.

— Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
Over a century later, the Himalayan blackberry has spread far beyond the modest backyard bounds its importers envisioned, opting instead to take over indiscriminately and displace the native trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in the process.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026

Definition of bounds

Noun

Officially, commissioners rejected the application because the developer had altered the parcel boundaries to meet the definition of an enclave.

— Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
The Firebrand and the First Lady demonstrates that the early civil rights movement was built on a foundation of deep, complicated, long-term relationships which traversed the boundaries of both race and class.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of boundaries

Noun

All in all, the famous spot in the heart of London turned into a rate window into the ocean, showcasing creatures from its depths.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Iran’s currency is getting obliterated With Iran’s economy in free fall, the country’s currency is getting dragged down too and continues to find new depths with the regime facing a major cash crunch soon.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of depths

Browse Nearby Words

limitlessness

limits

limn

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limits. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of limits

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes