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Some common synonyms of check<\/em> are bridle<\/em><\/a>, curb<\/em><\/a>, and restrain<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to hold back from or control in doing something,\" check<\/em> implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.<\/p>

\/\/ trying to check<\/em> government spending<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'bridle' take the place of 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to check<\/em>, bridle<\/em><\/a> implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.<\/p>

\/\/ bridle<\/em> an impulse to throw the book down<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'curb' be used instead of 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words curb<\/em><\/a> and check<\/em> have much in common, curb<\/em> suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.<\/p>

\/\/ learn to curb<\/em> your appetite<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'restrain' be a reasonable alternative to 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words restrain<\/em><\/a> and check<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, restrain<\/em> suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.<\/p>

\/\/ restrained<\/em> themselves from laughing<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the verb 'check' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of check<\/em> are bridle<\/em><\/a>, curb<\/em><\/a>, and restrain<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to hold back from or control in doing something,\" check<\/em> implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.<\/p>

\/\/ trying to check<\/em> government spending<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'bridle' take the place of 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to check<\/em>, bridle<\/em><\/a> implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.<\/p>

\/\/ bridle<\/em> an impulse to throw the book down<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'curb' be used instead of 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words curb<\/em><\/a> and check<\/em> have much in common, curb<\/em> suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.<\/p>

\/\/ learn to curb<\/em> your appetite<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'restrain' be a reasonable alternative to 'check'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words restrain<\/em><\/a> and check<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, restrain<\/em> suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.<\/p>

\/\/ restrained<\/em> themselves from laughing<\/p>" } } ] }

check 1 of 2

noun

Definition of checknext
1
as in bill
the amount owed at a bar or restaurant or the slip of paper stating the amount diners at that temple of gastronomy often look shocked when they receive the check

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in inspection
a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition made a careful check of the antique table before buying it

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in statement
a record of goods sold or services performed together with the costs due request a detailed check from the company before sending any money

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in ticket
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance) handed over a check for his coat

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice the judiciary is intended to be a check on the executive and legislative branches of government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fissure
an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure the network of fine checks on the surface would indicate that the painting is quite old

Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in halt
the stopping of a process or activity the announcement of bad news gave a sudden check to the celebration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

check

2 of 2

verb

ˈchek How to pronounce check (audio)
1
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point their story of what happened checks with the report of the eyewitness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill a tree finally checked the skidding car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to keep
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) check your enthusiasm a bit, and think before you marry someone you just met

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb check contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of check are bridle, curb, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

In what contexts can bridle take the place of check?

While in some cases nearly identical to check, bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can curb be used instead of check?

Although the words curb and check have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

Where would restrain be a reasonable alternative to check?

In some situations, the words restrain and check are roughly equivalent. However, restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

How does the verb check contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of check are bridle, curb, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

In what contexts can bridle take the place of check?

While in some cases nearly identical to check, bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can curb be used instead of check?

Although the words curb and check have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

Where would restrain be a reasonable alternative to check?

In some situations, the words restrain and check are roughly equivalent. However, restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

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 check
Noun
The agency is advising recipients to cash their checks within 90 days, according to the March 17 release. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 Each current team owner is looking at a check of at least $650 million, or even more if the NBA can trigger a bidding war in Vegas and Seattle that pushed the price to $8 billion or higher. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Iowa coach Ben McCollum quickly consulted video coordinator Jace Smith, who checked his iPad and nodded yes — go for it. —Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Travelers are still encouraged to check with their airline for their flight status. —Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
  1. bill
  2. inspection
  3. statement
  4. ticket
  5. restriction
  6. fissure
  7. halt
  8. correspond
Noun
  • His mandate will be reassuring US consumers about the trajectory of their energy bills — gasoline is now nearly $4 per gallon on average nationwide, the highest level since 2023.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The president then urged Senate Republicans to combine all of those bills and amendments into one piece of legislation, eliminate the filibuster, and skip their two-week Easter recess, due to start at the end of this week, if needed to pass it.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of bill
Noun
  • One Dallas restaurant failed inspection and roaches were found at four others in the latest round of city health inspections, according to the inspection report.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Legal search for answers Court filings show the Police Department previously received a subpoena to allow for the inspection of evidence collected at the crime scene, including a bullet fragment, blood swabs and articles of clothing worn by Jane Doe.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • While the identities and ages of those who died in the crash remained unconfirmed as of Saturday evening, the Yough School District superintendent did release a statement suggesting the four have ties to the district.
    — Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Those statements included details that only someone involved in the killing would know, investigators said.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated March 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of statement
Noun
  • Chess is currently selling tickets through Sunday, September 13, marking its third extension.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Overlook attendees receive 25% off tickets for this exclusive finale.
    — William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • But others told me that an atmosphere of self-censorship and anxiety about unwritten restrictions, had become routine in the industry.
    — Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • But Aaron Barker, president of the AFGE Local 554 in Georgia, said TSA officer unions don't have the same restrictions and can accept donations to distribute to their members.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • But last week, what may have been cracks in the picture-perfect presentation of this demographic of Utah women became a major fissure when a 2023 video of Paul throwing metal barstools at her ex-partner, Dakota Mortenson, while her child is in the room surfaced online.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The measurement donnybrook is the latest fissure between Nielsen and its media client base.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • The strait remains virtually closed as violence in the region escalates, bringing shipping traffic to a near-halt.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Taylor Frankie Paul‘s turn as the star of The Bachelorette has come to a screeching halt after ABC opted to shelve the premiere.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Researchers believe some kind of ritual marked this massive deposit, as the feasting and decorative objects might correspond to an event that might have propelled the stashing away of these astonishing artifacts, as per Heritage Daily.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The researcher says that because antimatter particles are more massive than matter particles, during pair production in the early universe, the antimatter particles were slower than the corresponding matter particles.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of correspond

Phrases Containing check

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cheats
check
checkable
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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on check

Nglish: Translation of check for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about check

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