curb 1 of 2

Definition of curbnext

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

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 curb
Verb
Protecting Indigenous territories is widely seen as one of the most effective ways to curb deforestation in the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest and a key regulator of the global climate. ABC News, 19 June 2026 Warsh seeks to curb the central bank’s communications, arguing that projecting too much can box in policymakers. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
My father approvingly walked to the curb to examine Paul’s new BMW. Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 Britain's model is most strict yet Britain will go further than Australia — the first country to ban social media for ⁠children — with controls on gaming platforms and the possibility of overnight curfews and curbs on infinite scrolling for under-18s. Paul Sandle, USA Today, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb
Verb
  • Progressives cite its emphasis on the dignity of work and workers, and on the need for government to regulate working conditions that threaten this dignity.
    Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, even some PBM critics question whether states can effectively regulate them.
    John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Last week, the UK government banned social media for under-16s starting next year, modeling its restrictions on those set by the Australian government in December.
    Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 23 June 2026
  • Some of the restrictions were partially or fully reversed after public backlash and court challenges.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • France has largely dominated, controlling 68% of possession and creating a whopping seven shots on goal.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
  • Doing your nails at home gives you control over how aggressively the nail plate is filed and how gel is removed, which can lower the risk of long-term damage.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington are included in the states opting out, with the majority citing budget constraints in their reasoning.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • However, the dream of fully sovereign AI inevitably runs up against hard constraints around compute, capital, and energy.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • From June of 2004 to July of 2006, as the subprime bubble was inflating, the Fed raised the interest rate 17 times consecutively – a textbook policy of monetary tightening, unprecedented at the time, which should have restrained credit creation.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Authorities said Veit restrained the girl before placing her inside the dryer.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The evidence suggests helping people with physical and cognitive limitations stay home costs states less than the alternative, which is nursing home care.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • The only limitation to implementing produce market pop-ups or deliveries in Baltimore is funding.
    Regina Harmon, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Firefighters, meanwhile, quickly contained the blaze to a 10-by-10-foot area.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Each kit contains five breakfasts and five lunches.
    Joshua Cole, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The Cubs kept the game plan fairly simple for Peterson in his debut following a whirlwind couple of days after learning he had been traded Wednesday evening.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • Panama can't make anything of its counter attacks and keeps losing the ball in transition.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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