confine
To keep someone or something inside a small space or within limits.
confine in a sentence
- We had to confine the puppy to the kitchen while the paint dried.
- A bad cold will confine you to bed for a few days.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to confine?
- Arelease
- Bliberate
- Crestrict
- Dfree
Show the answer
C: restrict. The other three mean the opposite of confine.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to confine?
- Arestrict
- Benclose
- Ccontain
- Dfree
Show the answer
D: free. The other three mean nearly the same as confine.
Words that mean something similar
restrict, contain, enclose
Words that mean the opposite
free, release, liberate
More words about movement & action
- conquer: To defeat someone or take control of a place by force.
- consume: To eat, drink or use up something.
- contort: To twist something out of its normal shape.
- cower: To crouch down and shrink back in fear.
- crumple: To crush something into creases and folds.
- dawdle: To walk or do something slowly because you are wasting time.
- deft: Quick and skilful, especially with your hands.
- demolish: To knock something down completely.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test