CURBS Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

curbs 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of curb

as in controls

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

curbs

2 of 2

noun

plural of curb

as in restrictions

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

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 curbs

Noun

The curbs include freezing any assets the officials might have in China; denial of visas and entry into China; prohibiting any Chinese individuals and organizations from cooperating with them. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Infrastructure funding would be used to maintain pavement, curbs, gutters, alleys, bridges and culverts throughout the city. — Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 Workers included street signs and sidewalks, curbs and stretches of road damaged from the storm, from the heavy equipment that was brought in or trees falling, Kern said. — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Most glaringly, Nvidia continues to work with at least one entity that the US has recently flagged as potentially evading export curbs. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 But this time, the curbs come as diesel markets are already contending with diminished supply. — New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The circular noted that as much as $7 billion could flow into domestic Saudi assets from money market funds under new curbs on overseas investments. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 Chinese tech firms showcased advances in chipmaking, despite US curbs on access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The cab curbs come as the BBC recently published senior management expense claims for the first quarter of its 2025/26 financial year. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curbs

Verb

This game may come down to whichever team controls the clock and avoids turnovers.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
This year, swing districts with large Hispanic populations could help decide which party controls the House.

— Claudia Grisales, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of controls

Noun

In August, Beijing announced new restrictions on developers' ability to sell unfinished properties.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Others have called for restrictions on data centers, such as requiring that their energy consumption does not add to others’ utility bills.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrictions

Verb

Flora, 43, has served as his party’s top budget official in the chamber and been the subject of several cases with the Fair Political Practices Commission, which regulates campaign finance, lobbying and government ethics.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Before the city or state adopts or regulates an AI tool that touches housing, jobs, benefits or immigration, the people affected should be asked first.

— Steven Choi, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulates

Noun

Stock markets are soaring to fresh record highs, even as the bond market sounds the alarm on fiscal constraints.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Many have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared thanks to refinery constraints and supply disruptions amid the Iran war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraints

Verb

Peanut butter contains vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant in the body, as well as magnesium, which plays a role in muscle and nerve function.

— Trista Chan, HEALTH, 12 Oct. 2026
The center’s laboratory, in the basement of the School of Natural Resources, contains samples that pre-date Christianity and the Egyptian pyramids.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of contains

Noun

There were limitations to the study, including the small group of volunteers, which consisted of more women than men, and a lack of variation in dog breeds, Li said.

— Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
That said, even the most detailed traceability records have their limitations.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitations

Verb

Farther down, the levee that restrains the rivers is a low line of trees into the horizon.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
The constitutional exclusionary rule restrains government, not private parties, so the Fourth Amendment generally does not bar evidence wrongfully obtained by a private actor.

— Jihun Joun, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of restrains

Browse Nearby Words

curbing

curbs

curbstone

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Curbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curbs. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of curbs

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes