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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Changing who writes the venture capital checks may prove to be the most powerful way to change entrepreneurship itself. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 According to the bank's supply chain checks, analysts have concluded than an all-glass iPhone by Apple , something the company has never publicly announced, appears to be canceled. — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
That includes checking a student's phone records and social media posts, going door to door at the student's dorm and questioning school staff and emergency contacts. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Dart has checked some of those boxes already, which is good news. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 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
  • Donalds unveiled his pro-consumer bill one day before Politico published details of his multimillion-dollar campaign contributions from data center interests.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Every year Chicago loses residents, the taxpayers who remain carry a larger share of a bill written for a bigger city.
    — Lisa Nee, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bill
Noun
  • Officers like Chase, who perform inspections, are responsible for certifying the origin of all parts on the car.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The certificate of inspection involves a stability test to determine the total number of passengers allowed on board during for-hire operations.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • In those entries, Fauci discussed his views on the origins of the coronavirus — a topic Paul has accused Fauci of issuing misleading statements on, which Fauci has long denied.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Boulder police said in a statement announcing the arrest that the Boulder District Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges of theft and embezzlement of public property, as well as a misdemeanor charge of first-degree official misconduct.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of statement
Noun
  • Birmingham26, the organisers, say that half of their 250,000 tickets — across morning and evening sessions — are £30 or cheaper.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Disneyland Resort in California offered $50 single-day park hopper tickets for kids ages 3-9 all summer, which typically range from $168 to $279.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Iranian lawmakers have drafted a bill to regulate traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including restrictions on certain vessels and penalties for violators, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Russia -- one of the world's largest oil producers -- has introduced a swath of restrictions on petrol sales across the country, as Ukrainian strikes on its refineries, depots and logistics crimp domestic supply.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • The pitched and often emotional vote over Proposition 40 exposed deep fissures in the state party over how to respond to growing grassroots anger over wealth inequality.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Another fissure appeared, slicing a haphazard path through its pale-blue heart.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • The abrupt termination of the main channels of connections and contact left the Chinese–North Korean relationship in a shambles as trade ground to a halt and economic ties were mostly cut off.
    — ZHENG JIYONG, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The decision also puts 1,500 union workers on hiatus, as much of the construction grounds to a halt, Bally’s said.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The system demanded piles of paper to ensure the never-ending influx of goods contained numbers that corresponded correctly, that actually checked out.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • At the center of the bipartisan legislation is NIL, short for name, image and likeness, which corresponds to a student athlete’s ability to use their personal brand to make money.
    — Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on check

Nglish: Translation of check for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about check

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