Synonyms of check

check 1 of 2

noun

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

• bill
• tab
• receipt
• fee
• record
• expense
• statement
• account
• cost
• invoice
• score
• damage
• charge
• figure
• reckoning
• tally

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

• inspection
• audit
• examination
• survey
• scrutiny
• scan
• checkup
• review
• view
• look-see
• analysis
• investigation
• study
• research
• going-over
• recheck
• probe
• dissection
• exploration
• deconstruction
• assay
• perusal
• inquisition
• reinspection
• observation
• interrogation
• watch
• checkout
• resurvey
• trial run
• close-up
• test-drive
• once-over
• surveillance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bill
• statement
• account
• rate
• document
• receipt
• tab
• invoice
• price
• record
• fee
• charge
• cost
• score
• expense
• reckoning
• ledger
• tally
• toll

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ticket
• pass
• coupon
• note
• certificate
• voucher
• token
• pasteboard

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restriction
• constraint
• limitation
• condition
• curb
• restraint
• stipulation
• exception
• reservation
• stricture
• qualification
• proviso
• strings
• circumscription
• prohibition
• ban
• fetter
• proscription

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freedom
• latitude

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fissure
• crevice
• split
• crack
• rift
• cleft
• gap
• cranny
• fracture
• opening
• chink
• slit
• craze
• rupture
• cut
• breach
• crevasse
• incision
• hairline
• gash

7

as in halt

the stopping of a process or activity

the announcement of bad news gave a sudden check to the celebration

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• ending
• close
• cessation
• end
• conclusion
• stop
• stay
• closure
• finish
• cutoff
• shutdown
• offset
• cease
• expiration
• termination
• stoppage
• arrest
• shutoff
• lapse
• discontinuation
• discontinuance
• pause
• closedown
• arrestment
• surcease
• suspension
• break
• interruption
• phaseout
• standstill
• abeyance
• moratorium
• mop-up
• layoff
• letup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

check

2 of 2

verb

ˈchek 

1

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point

their story of what happened checks with the report of the eyewitness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• correspond
• coincide
• conform
• agree
• fit
• go
• answer
• consist
• sort
• harmonize
• rhyme
• accord
• match
• square
• comport
• tally
• fall in with
• align
• jibe
• dovetail
• cohere
• chord
• parallel
• register
• equal
• line up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disagree (with)
• differ (from)
• contradict
• dispute
• nullify
• conflict
• negate
• jar
• gainsay
• clash

2

as in to stop

to bring (something) to a standstill

a tree finally checked the skidding car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stop
• catch
• halt
• stall
• stay
• block
• arrest
• pull up
• draw up
• still
• bring up
• hold up
• suspend
• hold
• hinder
• fetch up
• snag
• impede
• conclude
• end
• hold back
• cut off
• obstruct
• stem
• detain
• clog
• balk
• dam
• terminate
• call
• turn back
• discontinue
• suppress
• baffle
• bottleneck
• blockade
• repress
• rein (in)
• choke off
• squelch
• stunt
• squash
• stanch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep (on)
• carry on
• proceed
• run on
• persist
• keep up
• move
• advance
• progress
• push
• go along
• march
• fare
• drive
• follow through (with)
• stir
• spur
• propel
• wend
• budge
• actuate
• impel
• goad

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keep
• control
• regulate
• contain
• curb
• measure
• restrain
• hold
• stop
• suppress
• rule
• stifle
• pull in
• govern
• tame
• constrain
• inhibit
• rein (in)
• hold back
• interrupt
• swallow
• bridle
• choke (back)
• repress
• block
• arrest
• smother
• hinder
• strangle
• impede
• sink
• squelch
• pocket
• hamper
• silence
• obstruct
• mince
• bottle (up)
• muffle
• muzzle
• handcuff
• gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• loosen
• liberate
• loose
• express
• take out
• vent
• unleash
• air

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

Recent Examples of check

Noun

Running, for example, keeps cortisol and adrenaline in check while releasing mood-lifting endorphins, according to the WebMD team. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026

Officials said the building’s sprinkler system held the fire in check. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

Verb

Cross those two dimensions — how far an idea travels across knowledge domains, how cheaply it is checked — and the future splits four ways. —Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

In March, star receiver Puka Nacua checked into a rehab facility after several incidents during and after the season. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Phrases Containing check

• check (out)
• check into
• check out
• check up on