confine
verb (used with object)
to enclose within bounds; limit or restrict.
was confining
-
past progressiveof confine.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The accent Mr. Easton had absorbed in Texas was confining him, as he told Newsday in 1989, to roles of the “dopey deputy and halfwit hayseed” variety.
From New York Times ● Dec. 24, 2011
I was confining myself to those that came under the one formula.
From The Terror A Mystery by Machen, Arthur
Forbes stated that the chief difficulty was confining the juries to the question of fact; but their verdicts had generally satisfied him.
From The History of Tasmania, Volume I by West, John
Now Ned was a muscular lad, but his work in the bank was confining, and he did not have the chance to get out doors and exercise, as Sam had.
From Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout, or, the Speediest Car on the Road by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]
Father Duff was still as irritable as ever, but he was not so much in evidence, for his increasing lameness was confining him almost entirely to his own room.
From Oh, Money! Money! by Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)
