blank check

noun

Definition of blank checknext
as in carte blanche

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 blank check The Department of War won’t get a blank check and must demonstrate clear needs. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 The public interest isn’t a blank check for the government. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026 An undisclosed amount of cash, three blank check books, and two prepaid gift cards were also stolen, police said. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 Under Missouri’s stadium plan, the state cannot simply hand the Royals a blank check to build a stadium. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blank check
  1. carte blanche
  2. free hand
Noun
  • Stories were told in chapters the length of an SMS message, meaning that in each installment, writers had about 70-100 words at their disposal and, critically, carte blanche on their arrangement (line breaks and ellipses did a lot of heavy lifting).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • Al-Bashir gave his protégé carte blanche to form a paramilitary group, the RSF, using militias drawn from the same Arab communities as the notorious Janjaweed.
    — Janine di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026
Definition of carte blanche
Noun
  • The free hands-on workshop is designed to show small business owners how artificial intelligence can help with marketing.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • The Gamblers advanced after one of their riders appeared to touch the bull with his free hand — an automatic disqualification under PBR rules — but no foul was called.
    — Latif Love July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of free hand

Browse Nearby Words

blank
blank check
blank checks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blank%20check. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All