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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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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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check

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verb

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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
The store houses a Scarf Bar offering designs in cashmere and silk twill in a variety of colors, patterns, textures and more than 30 shades of Burberry check. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 The ticket company, based in Seattle, was supposed to handle all money and fees and mail a check within 10 business days following each event. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
About 4,100 layoff notices have gone out, some sent to work email addresses that furloughed employees are not allowed to check. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025 Passengers scheduled to sail on upcoming cruises were advised to check with their individual cruise lines for itinerary updates. Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
Noun
  • Two Senate Democrats -- John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada -- have supported the House bill.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In comparison, Elizabeth Holmes, who was convicted of defrauding investors in the Theranos case, reportedly ended up with a legal bill of roughly $30 million.
    Ken Sweet, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • See the entire database of restaurant inspections here.
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On the day of her murder, her daughter and grandchildren arrived at her residence and grew concerned at the circumstances, per the prosecutor's office statement.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The virtual exercise platform Peloton made a similar statement earlier this month, announcing a partnership with menopause care platform Respin to launch a study on how exercise impacts women’s menopausal symptoms in midlife.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • No one won the jackpot on Monday, but three tickets in New York matched five numbers to win $1 million each.
    Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On the table before the two leaders, who met at Busan’s Gimhae Air Base, were a range of thorny issues including tariffs, China’s sweeping export controls on rare earths, US restrictions on Chinese access to American high-tech, and China’s role in the illicit fentanyl trade.
    Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • As a result, the number of participants in the Miss Universe pageant fluctuates year after year based on certain franchising restrictions and changes.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This magma chamber beneath the lake charges the maar with millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), which seeps up through fissures in the lake floor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Crews discovered fissures in the bedrock that required repair and struggled to find grips strong enough to hold cars on the steep grade.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One loose bolt or misplaced screw is enough to grind the entire contraption to a halt.
    Robert Mays, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Brit was looking to cement his status after a blistering 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, but his night came to a sudden halt before the opening round could conclude.
    Antonio Losada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Use the links and bonus codes that correspond with your state.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • One analysis notes national rail emits ~35 g CO₂e per kilometer, while average gasoline cars emit ~170 g - meaning that train travel can correspond to only ~20% of the carbon per person compared to driving.
    Chelsea Haney October 25, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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