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

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 'Jersey Shore' star gets real about parenting, stink checks, and what her nights out look like now. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025 Tuscany, terraces, and a touch of history—check, check, check. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Before trying celery juice, consider checking with a healthcare provider and incorporating it into a nutritious diet rather than isolating it as part of a juice cleanse. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025 This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, edited by Brent Baughman and fact checked by Tyler Jones. —October 14, NPR, 14 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
  • For those eager to travel further afield this Halloween season, a jaunt to the Transylvanian Alps should fit the bill.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
  • A lot of people think things aren't working, that the economy is rigged against them, and that hard work no longer pays the bills.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • Some food-safety inspections were temporarily suspended, trash piled up in national parks, federal landmarks and museums closed, and some airports shuttered checkpoints due to fewer Transportation Security Administration officers to screen passengers.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
  • No official report of the inspection was available online.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • Griffin-Gracy showed up to court hearings and stood in solidarity with young trans people when Arkansas became the first state to outlaw gender-affirming medical care for trans youth in 2021, according to a statement from Chase Strangio, co-director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project.
    — Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • In their statement on his death, D’Angelo’s family noted that the singer had been battling cancer.
    — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of statement
Noun
  • The interior zippered pocket is also perfect for keeping passports, tickets, or snacks easily accessible.
    — Alexis Benveniste, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
  • According to a criminal complaint obtained by WKBN, Thomas and a woman entered the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium without tickets through a temporary exit amid the zoo's remodeling.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Cifuentes sees a bright future for the club, with academy graduates Jeremy Monga, Louis Page, Jake Evans and Silko Thomas giving him options in the face of restrictions on recruitment.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The change represents a shift in how OpenAI approaches content restrictions, which the company had loosened in February but then dramatically tightened after an August lawsuit from parents of a teen who died by suicide after allegedly receiving encouragement from ChatGPT.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • This invisible, climate-polluting gas can escape into the water through fissures in the sea floor, often revealing itself with a stream of bubbles weaving their way up to the ocean surface.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Johanon's remarks centered on the fissures in society.
    — Detroit Free Press staff, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • That drought came to a halt Saturday when Thayer defensive back Jack Sullivan intercepted Governor’s quarterback Aiden Bly, preserving a 16-14 victory in enemy territory.
    — Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • But both companies have since put a halt to those plans.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The end of the growing season corresponds with the end of the mowing season.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Panthers entered the weekend with an opening on their 53-man roster, so only one corresponding move was needed to activate Corbett and Coker together.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of correspond

Phrases Containing check

Browse Nearby Words

cheats
check
checkable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on check

Nglish: Translation of check for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about check

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sequel spelled three ways with the incorrect ways crossed out and the correct spelling circled
Commonly Misspelled Words Vol. 2 Quiz Where are those red squiggly underlines when you ...
See All