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
No suspicious objects were found in Tuesday's initial search of the cruise ship, the Crown Iris, by coast guard officers with a sniffer dog and a diver, and a specialist diving unit was on its way to conduct further checks, the coast guard said. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 Big changes to the exchange include expiring financial assistance, rising rates, potential delays in working with a broker, new restrictions on immigrants, and stricter enrollment checks. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
A number of passengers have been arrested over the years for joking about having a bomb like a man did while checking his bag in Chicago in 2022. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 The adult passenger reboarded the bus, checked to see if any students remained on board and took his seat before the bus pulled away. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026 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
  • Shapiro told Semafor that he’ll be focused on passing a few specific items if his party wins full control of the government — not a parade of progressive bills, as Democrats in some swing states have done after winning the legislature.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Talarico, serving in 2023 as a Texas state representative, voted against a bill that prohibited certain gender transition surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone treatments for minors.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of bill
Noun
  • Authorities found no threat aboard the aircraft after conducting an inspection of the plane and its passengers, Wizz Air told state news agency MTI.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The agreement capped Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, reduced its operational centrifuge numbers, required Iran to repurpose its nuclear weapons development facilities, and established more rigorous international inspections to verify compliance.
    — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • The Tallahassee Police Department said in a statement that 11 of the 12 were shot and that three victims had serious injuries, with one minor in serious condition.
    — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Gang Supression Force force has not made any statement about the discovery and hand over.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of statement
Noun
  • Free-Ticket Scam A friend offers to give you a box-seat ticket to a Yankees game.
    — Jack Handey, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • On the New York to Pittsburgh round trip route, for example, baseline airfares start around 450 dollars, compared to roughly 225 dollars for train tickets and just 100 dollars for long distance bus tickets.
    — , CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Elsewhere on the ballot, Miami-Dade voters rejected a referendum loosening restrictions on advertising in county parks.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Transgender restrictions are proposed in several states Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Washington are considering measures restricting transgender athletes or medical procedures.
    — David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • The opposition has articulated clear differences from the current government on matters of domestic policy, but major fissures on the Palestinian conflict, Iran, and Israel’s wider regional military campaigns are less apparent.
    — Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In 1999, Glück imagined a creation story of sorts, describing small worlds that appeared in the fissures of a larger, shattered one.
    — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • According to Puente, a computer failure led to the initial halt of six moving trains, including the two trains that subsequently collided.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • During the 2008 financial crisis, most of the construction at Martis Camp came to a virtual halt.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • In particular, the work showed that the Roger-Ramanujan identities correspond to a trefoil knot in a certain space.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In a corresponding move, the Panthers promoted outside linebacker Nick Hampton off the practice squad.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
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 5 Nov. 2026.

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