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
If a designer’s gut-check isn’t enough, larger data points back this up, too. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 The affidavit reveals that at about that same time, Cantrell's sister-in-law called police for a welfare check at the motel because Cantrell was pregnant and due soon. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
Local rules can differ, so check with your county or city before proceeding. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Closures are also under consideration for Leo Carrillo, Malibu Creek, Point Mugu, Topanga, Will Rogers and Santa Susana Pass state parks, with visitors advised to check the Angeles District website for the latest information on conditions. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 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
  • The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Promising innovation and economic growth doesn't answer questions about electricity bills and corporate accountability, and expressing concern about the technology doesn't explain how to capture its potential benefits.
    — Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of bill
Noun
  • The airline said the aircraft landed safely and was taken out of service for inspection by its maintenance team.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For example, utilities can start with one upcoming investment decision, using digital and AI capabilities to bring together maintenance and inspection reports as well as operating data so teams can identify constraints across the network.
    — Charlie Sanchez, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • In a statement posted to Facebook, the Wichita Police Department asked anyone with video of the incident to upload it so investigators could take a look.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2024 interview with TIME, Netanyahu denied making the statement, insisting that the payments were meant to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of statement
Noun
  • An airline that adjusts ticket prices as departures approach is using dynamic pricing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • While the promotion promises access to a future game, not every remaining ticket holder is necessarily guaranteed their preferred World Series matchup.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • The resulting restrictions can, in turn, constrain power generation and hamper economic growth.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Lamy, now with the Jacques Delors Institute, was one of the authors of a recent policy paper that called for restrictions on Chinese exports using a quota system — an idea that the EU has now embraced.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • In the show, the crew encounters a white hole spewing time and space into the universe, and the only way to close it is for Lister to play space pool, sinking a planet into the interdimensional fissure via an over-elaborate trick shot.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Once moored, a boardwalk leads through old-growth forest to the fault itself, where ocean water is drawn in, heated up high and released through fissures in the rock.
    — Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • No bigger than a microwave oven, Idefix will plop onto Phobos by itself, bouncing for several minutes before coming to a halt in the moon's extraordinarily low gravity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The sharp decline earlier this year in software stocks ground dealmaking in the sector to a halt, as CEOs were reluctant to sell at the bottom and private-equity firms struggled to raise the debt.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The Rebbe corresponded with Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Basis trades are an arbitrage bet in which hedge funds are positioned long in cash Treasurys while shorting their corresponding futures contracts, with the aim of profiting from the price gap.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about check

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