circumscribe the power

Meaning

To limit, restrict, or place strict boundaries on the influence, control, or legal rights of an individual, group, or institution. It is often used in political, legal, and corporate contexts when discussing governance, policy changes, or constitutional limits.

Examples

• The newly drafted constitution aims to circumscribe the power of the executive branch.

  The newly drafted constitution aims to circumscribe the power of the executive branch.

• Regulatory bodies exist to circumscribe the power of monopolistic corporations.

  Regulatory bodies exist to circumscribe the power of monopolistic corporations.

• Shareholders are demanding reforms that will circumscribe the power of the founding partners.

  Shareholders are demanding reforms that will circumscribe the power of the founding partners.

• We must circumscribe the power of the security team to access sensitive user data.

  We must circumscribe the power of the security team to access sensitive user data.

• The treaty was designed to circumscribe the power of regional military alliances.

  The treaty was designed to circumscribe the power of regional military alliances.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The new policy will circumscribe the power to the CEO.

  ✓ The new policy will circumscribe the power of the CEO.

  Use the preposition 'of' to indicate whose power is being restricted, rather than 'to'.

• ✗ They want to circumscribe down the power of the board.

  ✓ They want to circumscribe the power of the board.

  'Circumscribe' is a single, complete verb and does not require a phrasal particle like 'down'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The legal team drafted an agreement to ___ of the majority shareholders.

  💡 Limit the control or influence of the shareholders.

  Show answer

  circumscribe the power

• Antitrust laws are implemented to ___ of dominant market players.

  💡 Restrict the monopoly's dominance.

  Show answer

  circumscribe the power