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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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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
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
And so, the power of a far-right billionaire who has long acted with impunity will also be checked — another priceless win for democracy. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Measles immunity sometimes can be checked with a blood test or by reviewing your vaccine records. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
Noun
  • Claude can also flag unusual transactions, duplicate charges, unexpected fees and bills that have gradually increased.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Choosing someone with a history and goal of activism doesn't fit that bill.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
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
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
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
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
Noun
  • An exception to the rule occurs over volcanic fissures on the flanks of the Alba Mons volcano, in early summer.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Things came to a sudden halt on July 7, when Murphy died at the age of 32 in what authorities have ruled an apparent drowning.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In the years since the COVID-19 lockdown brought the subway system to a halt — and clipped many a commute by moving work out of the office — 2019 subway ridership has been treated as a benchmark of the city’s revival.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The move in its corresponding options prices was even bigger, with the Cboe Volatility index falling about four points to below 17, the biggest one-day drop in the volatility gauge since at least July.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Close wore a coat dress made of Burkina Faso fabric, while Stone was dressed in the corresponding blazer and skirt.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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