CURB Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'curb' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of curb are bridle , check , and restrain . While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking. // learn to curb your appetite

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bridle' instead of 'curb'?

While in some cases nearly identical to curb , bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in. // bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Q: Where would 'check' be a reasonable alternative to 'curb'?

Although the words check and curb have much in common, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus. // trying to check government spending

Q: In what contexts can 'restrain' take the place of 'curb'?

The synonyms restrain and curb are sometimes interchangeable, but restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes. // restrained themselves from laughing

curb 1 of 2

verb

Definition of curb

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) try to curb your curiosity when it comes to your neighbors' business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

curb

2 of 2

noun

ˈkərb

as in restriction

something that limits one's freedom of action or choice these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb curb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of curb are bridle, check, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

When is it sensible to use bridle instead of curb?

While in some cases nearly identical to curb, bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Where would check be a reasonable alternative to curb?

Although the words check and curb have much in common, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

In what contexts can restrain take the place of curb?

The synonyms restrain and curb are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 curb

Verb

Traffic-calming measures include speed lumps, new bicycle lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions and curb islands, according to the city’s website. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Aid workers say more needs to be done to curb transmission in North Kivu. — Emma Farge, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Noun

With the usual routes sealed, William drove over a curb and through Central Park. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed Friday, with barricades, checkpoints and traffic curbs in place across major roads and key areas a day before the summit begins Saturday. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb

Verb

Hundreds of those grants were later reinstated when a federal judge ruled that the slap-dash nature of the terminations violated the Administrative Procedures Act, which regulates how agencies are supposed to change policies.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026
The episode marked the latest instance of Congress trying and failing to advance AI legislation amid a growing debate over whether, if at all, to regulate the technology that industry leaders warn may pose doomsday threats to humanity.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of regulate

Noun

The court ruled late Monday in an emergency order that the restrictions would most likely lose in court, at least for this year's election.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Chinese authorities imposed new restrictions on foreign travel in order to stop cutting-edge technology and top-flight researchers from leaving, taking a step closer to a regime that had characterized a more closed-off China of decades past.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of restriction

Verb

Western Michigan won the rushing battle and dominated time of possession, controlling the ball for more than 40 minutes.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Musk plans to integrate Cybercabs, which lack manual controls that passengers could use to take over in an emergency, into the company’s existing cab service, which until now has used only conventional Tesla vehicles.

— Bernard Condon, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

More gets lost when implementation hits an unanticipated constraint.

— Lorenzo Alvaro, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
They are being asked to increase speed and productivity while managing labor constraints, rising customer expectations, greater order complexity, and constant pressure to control costs.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

The man then bit Mejia and attempted to bite Olenick, which prompted the three men to start using duct tape from a flight attendant to restrain him, both men said.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
At that point, Mejia and Olenick jumped in to restrain the man in his seat using duct tape and zip ties provided by a flight attendant.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of restrain

Noun

That experience has given us a close look at both the promise and the limitations of the Portuguese model.

— Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Risk officers, product managers and executives should understand AI capabilities, limitations and governance implications.

— Peter Smulovics, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of limitation

Verb

Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
As promulgated last month, ballots must use envelopes with an election-mail logo that can to be scanned using high-speed processing equipment and contain a barcode unique to each voter.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Organizations should treat security as the discipline that keeps the business running, with prevention as one of its tools rather than its purpose.

— Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Bring an apple or two to a friend’s, give the whole box as a present, or keep every last piece for yourself.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of keep

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curators

curb

curbed

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“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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