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Definition of checknext
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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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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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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
Tasks such as contract review, renewal tracking, compliance checks and obligation management are increasingly assigned to employees without formal legal training. Matthew Sole, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 However, quality checks by the FDA’s laboratory personnel showed that the positive result was an error. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 21 July 2026
Verb
Physicists set out to check the result with an even more precise measurement. Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026 Every year, around this time, the blueberry patch is checked often until the berries are ready for picking, our founder shared in a recent blog post. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
Noun
  • Supporters of the bill say that allowing companies to sue under the measure will allow the businesses the chance to recover money or other compensation for being harmed by certain behavior.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • What this effort points to is the need for a federal right of publicity statute, like the languishing NO FAKES bill.
    Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • These include machine assembly, large-scale metal printing, post-processing, inspection, quality assurance and customer acceptance.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • The LaunchAgent uses an Apple-like name, which can make the entry blend in during a quick inspection.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The drone breached the country’s airspace at dawn and was shot down in the eastern desert, the statement said.
    Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Another cub born to a red panda named Ruby died this month, the zoo said in a statement.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 28 July 2026
Noun
  • Those are the astronomical odds a Powerball ticket buyer will need to overcome to win the jackpot prize.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Sales have been brisk for state lottery games after a brief period where inflation apparently caused consumers to dial back purchases of scratch-off tickets.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Washington has ramped up export restrictions against China in recent years to slow the country’s development of AI and chips that could power its military.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • But the Thunder, who remain $14 million above the luxury-tax line, did not trade Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe because the second-apron roster-building restrictions scared them.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • While effective in winning the war, the new government faced social and political fissures in the postwar period.
    Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Diggins’ absence from the court and the Sky’s ongoing lack of success seemed to set the table for an early fissure midway through the first season of her two-way deal.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Last week, De Beers — which is owned by Anglo American — announced a two-year production halt at its flagship Venetia mine in South Africa.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
  • The escalation over the strait has seen shipping traffic ground to a halt through the waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flowed before the war.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • On Tuesday, the Cardinals optioned right-hander Hunter Dobbins to Triple-A immediately after a harsh outing against the Chicago Cubs, a move that corresponded with the addition of a new reliever.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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