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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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check

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verb

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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

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
More from Axios: How to apply for FEMA $770 payment for California fires IRS is sending out stimulus checks to 1 million taxpayers. Kelly Tyko, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 Her heat checks are among the most thrilling parts of this sport right now. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
Aerial imaging can detect hot spots and show crews like this where to look, but every inch has to be checked by a person in order for an area to be declared fully contained. M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 On Monday morning, HBO dropped the first official trailer for The White Lotus season three, which opens with a new group of guests checking into the best hotel in the world in the Asian country. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for check 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
Noun
  • Flashback: President Reagan signed a bill marking the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
    Kelly Tyko, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Yet, the technology is only likely to continue its rapid development within the tech giants that can foot the RND bill or the startups that have managed to find a sustainable business model.
    Abdo Riani, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The recall follows an FDA inspection that revealed undeclared allergens on the product labels.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Airlines have also had to pull Airbus jets from service to carry out unexpected inspections of Pratt & Whitney engines after the engine manufacturer discovered a quality defect.
    Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trace Cyrus has issued an emotional statement in response to his father Billy Ray Cyrus’ widely criticized performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration Liberty Ball on Jan. 20.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2025
  • This post has been updated to include a statement from ID.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Producers thinking of putting on an Arthur Miller are more likely to go for the tragedies because that’s what he’s known for and those are what have sold tickets in the past.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 25 Jan. 2025
  • My kids and their friends are really desperate to get a ticket because that’s a generation that has never seen the Gallagher brothers on stage together.
    Billboard Italy, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And in 2023, with the U.S. preparing to end pandemic-era restrictions on immigration, the Biden administration sent 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
    Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
  • His plans also include ICE raids in major metropolitan areas and placing additional restrictions on who is eligible to enter the US. 3.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The issue has already brought to light fissures within the party.
    Tami Luhby, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • It was heralded by a swarm of earthquakes, and then the opening of fissures in the floor of the Halema'uma'u caldera.
    Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Like so many Angelenos, Cheyenne Shannon’s routine came to a halt in the hours after the devastating Palisades Fire broke out on the morning of Jan. 7, followed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
    Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
  • And when Trump caught wind that the Biden administration was moving quickly to auction off border wall materials, Texas put that to a halt.
    Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The pattern uncovered by the team corresponds with models that suggest black holes grow through repeat collisions in densely packed star clusters.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The mayor and council members didn’t compare bank balances or transactions to a corresponding bank statement or invoice to ensure information was accurate, auditors said.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near check

Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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