curb 1 of 2

curb

2 of 2

noun

as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb curb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of curb are bridle, check, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

When is it sensible to use bridle instead of curb?

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

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Where would check be a reasonable alternative to curb?

Although the words check and curb have much in common, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

In what contexts can restrain take the place of curb?

The synonyms restrain and curb are sometimes interchangeable, but restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

Examples 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 curb
Verb
Education departments in another 10 states have issued policy recommendations or begun pilot programs to curb phone usage. April Rubin, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 The United States on Monday unveiled new export rules on advanced computing chips used for artificial intelligence, aiming to facilitate sales to allied nations and further curb access to countries like China. Afp, Fortune Asia, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
Now's the time to put away your Christmas ornaments and haul your tree to the curb. Steph Solis, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025 Three people were hospitalized after a New York City taxi cab jumped the curb and struck multiple pedestrians in Herald Square on Christmas Day. Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for curb 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb
Verb
  • Ayurvedic practitioners have claimed that oil pulling can reduce plaque, prevent gingivitis, and regulate bad breath per a 2014 Vogue article, and the practice remains relevant a decade later.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
  • But TikTok has fought the law at every turn, arguing that the U.S. government is overstepping its bounds by attempting to regulate foreign ownership of a private company.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • White House officials canceled air traffic restrictions tied to the president's movement, allowing first responders to focus on the wildfire crisis.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • According to data provided by the MSA, there were eight temporary flight restriction violations and unauthorized drone flights during the five Ravens regular-season games of the 2024-25 season.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That means people with a Google Home setup can switch devices, adjust volumes, and otherwise control devices, faster, with Internet outages or latency no longer an issue.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The captures highlight a campaign by some activists to reintroduce lynx to help control the deer population and symbolize Scotland’s commitment to wildlife diversity.
    Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Officials on a call with reporters noted current strains on the AI market to make investments needed for large-scale operations saying their cost, power constraints and permitting challenges resulting in long lead times to bring data centers to market.
    Molly Nagle, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The individual, whose identity hasn’t been released, was quickly restrained by fellow passengers and later detained by state troopers.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Plus, in wine bars restrained by small kitchens, the ice cream coupe offers ample space for experimentation, allowing chefs to push the boundaries with the produce and tools at hand and easily tweak their recipes to keep regulars on their toes.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Heavy Metals Found in Chocolate: Study Sheds Light on Lead, Cadmium in Some Products Criticism of the Report The report has limitations, however.
    Korin Miller, Health, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Gracey makes an effort to innovate in several other ways, navigating around the musical genre’s visual conventions and limitations.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Palisades Fire, which was the largest of the blazes, was only 14% contained going its seventh straight day of destruction.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Modernity’s victory wasn’t so much in extinguishing fire, however, as containing it.
    Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some within the conservative camp have expressed alarm at the party’s embrace of a group that most mainstream conservatives had previously kept at arm’s length, as well as the persecution of legislators who have flouted the party line to support the president’s impeachment and arrest.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • That’s why Hayek wanted to keep Fisher out of politics, and in business.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near curb

Cite this Entry

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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