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
In time, however, Mrs. Graeme began to feel that the old woman was confining herself too closely to the house.
From Mam' Lyddy's Recognition 1908 by Thomas Nelson Page
The only consolation of Shoghi Effendi is that she has been freed from the physical weakness that during these last years was confining her to her room for most of the time.
From Dawn of a New Day by Shoghi Effendi
I was confining myself strictly to north Texas and Pan-Handle cattle, for through Montana cowmen I learned that there was an advantage, at maturity, in the northern-bred animal.
From Reed Anthony, Cowman by Andy Adams
The enemy's attitude indicated that he was confining himself to the defence of that position.
From The Franco-German War of 1870-71 by Count Helmuth
