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
  • The monthly bills will come to my work email address.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The governor vetoed a bill on Saturday that would have provided more transparency around the water usage of data centers, which regularly require millions of gallons of fresh water to cool their computers.
    — Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • As part of the investigation, requested certificates of veterinary inspection from all 50 states and received records accounting for nearly 88,000 dogs.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The department's tax auditors will look for violations during their normal enforcement work, such as on-site inspections or checking books.
    — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 10 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
  • Protests about immigration and sagging ticket sales were among the reasons cited for the move, according to sources.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Act quickly, as these tickets will be in extremely high demand, and prices may rise.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 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
  • 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
  • Mumford and three of the night's nine musicians - including fellow full-time members Ted Dwane on stand-up bass and Ben Lovett on keys - were forced to bring the song to a halt.
    — Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The Padres were eliminated from the playoffs in the Wild Card round, and because of Wrigley Field's century-old accommodations, the umpire crew was forced to exit the game through the visitors' dugout immediately after San Diego's season had come to a screeching halt.
    — Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • For a while, this was alleviated by trying to help police with their investigations, corresponding with her father, and working with organizations meant to help victims of violent and high profile crimes.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
  • When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake.
    — William B. Davis, New York Times, 10 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 13 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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