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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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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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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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 model then uses these projections as a consistency check, ensuring new frames align with what was already generated. —ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025 Adult content creation is decentralized nowadays — very few performers film a scene at a studio and then pick up a check the same day, said adult industry performer and content creator Siri Dahl. —Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
With these intermittent shortages, folks are continually checking places like Amazon despite reports of tricky side effects. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 Favor a provider that can operate the security and compliance program end to end, not simply check the box. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 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
  • So far, the House and Senate have each only passed two appropriations bills through their respective chambers – though the lower chamber has pushed nine bills out of committee and the Senate has managed to clear eight of its bills from committee.
    — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Forest needed competition for Chris Wood, and Jesus fits the bill as a Brazil international who has scored at a healthy rate back home, including the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • Dallas restaurant inspectors found a live rat on a glue trap at one location and a pot of moldy soup at another in the latest round of health inspections, according to the inspection report.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
  • When a shipment arrives, FSIS inspectors first conduct a document review to verify that the product is accompanied by a foreign inspection certificate issued by a government agency from a country with FSIS-equivalent inspection standards.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • Additionally, Disney must also maintain an audience designation program to ensure that all its YouTube videos are correctly classified, according to the FTC's statement.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Women were members of Good Samaritan pharmacy team The two women, Eden Adugna and Feven Adugna, were members of the pharmacy team at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, according to a media statement from TriHealth.
    — David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of statement
Noun
  • To go along with sandwiches, there will be beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks sold via drink tickets.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The films showcase concerts from 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021, released in two waves starting September 24 and October 1. Showtimes and tickets are available for Louisville-area theaters, including Cinemark Mall St. Matthews and XD and Cinemark Tinseltown Louisville and XD.
    — Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Medication access, restrictions If signed into law by Abbott, Texas would join a handful of other states that allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Regional restrictions may apply.
    — Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • Israel's devastating attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children, is exposing deep ideological fissures on the American Right.
    — Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Vegetation also can conceal deep fissures and cracks.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • The stagnant city mostly drew senior citizens, and new hotel construction ground to a halt.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
  • On October 7, 2023, efforts to realize the first goal came to a virtual halt as the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched what would become the deadliest attack in Israel's history, sparking an ongoing war that has spread across the region and drawn in Israel's top foe, Iran, directly.
    — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The dress code for an engagement party should correspond with the formality of the event.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025
  • In a corresponding roster move, the Red Sox officially added pitcher Payton Tolle to their major league roster; the top prospect will start Friday in Boston against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
    — Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
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 6 Sep. 2025.

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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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