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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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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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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
Expect the humidity to stay in check, with just a few clouds this afternoon. Bill Kelly, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 The financials are also unmatched, with last year’s annual check to each franchise from 345 Park Ave topping $450 million from leaguewide deals, primarily driven by the NFL’s $125 billion in media pacts. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) lets the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation check their first bag for free. Dan Avery,lily Wolfson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 Security officials from both regions were in contact and closely checking for possible connections between the Brandenburg and Bergheim incidents, Reul said. ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for check
Recent Examples of Synonyms for check
Noun
  • Therefore, how much of the impact caused by El Niño will ultimately translate into the bills handed to consumers remains to be seen.
    , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Watching the Lilith documentary and hearing about how two women can be played back-to-back on a radio or two women can be on a festival bill.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Those inspection tools can help manufacturers identify internal issues before propulsion hardware reaches later production stages.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Food and Drug Administration inspections of foreign food sites — including the Mexican farm linked to the ongoing outbreak — are down nearly 35% since 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to agency records.
    Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Bengals president Mike Brown issued a statement backing both Taylor and Tobin days after the season.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The department is aware changes are in store for the program, Lesnick said in a statement late last month.
    Jada Robison, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Despite the slower pace of things pre-internet, all 250,000 tickets had gone within nine hours.
    Devinder Bains, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Simply buy your ticket, sit back, and enjoy Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring spectacle.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • New York City just instituted a sweeping ban on schools using AI in the classroom through the start of high school, along with other restrictions on the technology.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Rosaviatsiya -- announced temporary flight restrictions at airports in Sochi, Gelendzhik, Penza, Saratov, Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • However, a single compound cannot easily squeeze into tight internal fissures while also binding to wide open surfaces.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Bidets may also ease discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, and help people with chronic diarrhea or conditions that require frequent wiping.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • California’s next governor will determine whether to keep or toss Gavin Newsom’s halt on executions.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The halt in strikes began at midnight on Friday into Saturday and will last for the duration of the weekend of diplomacy.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In a corresponding move, the Jets released kicker Jason Sanders and offensive lineman Kohl Levao.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Both cohorts showed evidence of a dose-dependent association, in which higher blood xylitol concentrations corresponded to higher rates of cardiovascular events.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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