bound 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of boundnext
1
as in limit
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

Relevance
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

bound

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

3 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to define
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to border
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

4 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to hop
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

5 of 5

adjective

ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bound (audio)
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bound
Noun
That’s interesting work that shows how mind-reading techniques are progressing in leaps and bounds. — The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025 Alsup said the mass firings were likely unlawful and ordered the Office of Personnel Management to halt the action, saying the agency acted out of bounds by telling other agencies – including the Education Department, the Small Business Administration and the Energy Department – to fire employees. — Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
When that happens, the algorithm is deemed optimal — inexorably bounded from above and below, leaving no room for further refinement. — Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 Late on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued an evacuation order for an area bounded by Runyon Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east and Hollywood Boulevard on the south. — Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Fischer, 31, was found bound and slain at her home on Point San Pedro Road. — Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025 This amount of warming is a lower bound for what is expected by the end of the century, as the world is currently on course for upwards of 3°C (5.4°F) of warming. — Andrew Freedman, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bound
  1. determined
  2. resolute
  3. intent
Adjective
  • At a time when women were not allowed to wrestle professionally, this dream seems far-fetched, but Burke is determined to succeed.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
  • But the guard has pushed through and is determined to help Phoenix make a last-ditch effort for a playoff run.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Unique, however, is resolute and reveals a personal betrayal.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Even many Republicans who bristled at the tens of billions of dollars in aid packages that Congress approved for Ukraine were resolute that Russia and Vladimir V. Putin, its president, were the aggressors in the conflict.
    — Karoun Demirjian, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • In lieu of narrative progression, Lund is singularly intent on generating an atmosphere that makes the viewer feel like they’re perched in the bleachers.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • These technologies help marketers identify intent signals, prioritize accounts, and engage decision-makers with relevant content at the right time.
    — Forrester, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of intent

Browse Nearby Words

bound
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bound. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on bound

Nglish: Translation of bound for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

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

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All