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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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
Never send personal identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire funds or information to unverified persons or businesses. —Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025 Continue reading … COZY CONNECTIONS – Mamdani hands big check to radical group boasting about infiltrating his campaign. —FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Lee, one step away from risking typecasting as a corporate CEO (check her out running UBN on The Morning Show), is totally game in the role of would-be savior of Enrom. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025 This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact checked by Tyler Jones. —Berly McCoy, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025 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
  • While voting on the bill is unlikely, the provision banning software tools like virtual private networks, or VPNs, has caused concern over potential government overreach in tech spaces.
    — Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Senate Democrats, who are demanding a permanent extension of federal subsidies to help people afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, have voted down the funding bill four times.
    — Terry Moseley, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • See the entire database of restaurant inspections here.
    — Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Two of the area's restaurants received a score of 89 or lower on initial inspections.
    — Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • So, while firing a worker solely for a statement or a belief may be shortsighted, companies can and will take action when employee behavior erodes trust, respect, or collaboration.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The county’s Public Works staff confirmed several eroded sections along the corridor, leaving little to no room for vehicles to pull off the pavement, officials said in a statement Monday.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of statement
Noun
  • How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?
    — Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Group ticket packages are also available.
    — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Oct. 2025
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Project 2025 calls for Title I to be delivered to states as block grants, or chunks of money with few restrictions.
    — Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Military officials are pushing forward with new restrictions on the Pentagon press corps despite objections from news organizations and watchdog groups.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • Over the first three weeks, the 49ers somehow maintained their balance as cracks and fissures formed all over their lineup.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Rocks have tiny fissures into which water can seep; when the temperature drops, the water expands into ice, exerting pressure and widening the cracks.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • An Israeli government spokesperson said on Sunday that there was no ceasefire in place in Gaza, only a temporary halt in certain bombings, according to Reuters.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But watch for combat to come to a halt until these hostages are released.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • WalletHub then evaluated the five dimensions using 45 relevant metrics, with their corresponding weights.
    — Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Two years after the Golden State Valkyries paid $50 million as a league expansion fee, the three franchises set to enter into the league in 2028, 2029 and 2030 were announced with a corresponding $250 million expansion fee.
    — Ben Pickman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
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 9 Oct. 2025.

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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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