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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Read Next National Manager wrote over $400,000 in checks to herself, Georgia cops say. — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 Officials had conducted a routine safety check of the general population pod the man was housed in just prior, officials said. — Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many companies see sustainability as simply a compliance box to check. — Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2025 For most investors with a 401(k) plan, sticking tight and avoiding checking your balance each day may be the best strategy for coping with volatile periods, experts say. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 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
  • The bill will move to the broader legislature to be considered.
    — James Watson, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In both cases, the tariff bill isn’t large compared to total sales – but both Topgolf and Amer stocks are down the last month, 17% and 13% respectively.
    — Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • The inspection — which looks over the vehicle’s headlights, signals, brakes, steering, windows and tires — must be completed by a licensed mechanic.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Routine inspection, eight total violations, three High Priority violations.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • Two days is a long time on Capitol Hill, so there is still plenty of time for a deal to emerge, but Schumer's statement certainly heats up shutdown fears.
    — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Red, from scarlet to bordeaux, was the boldest statement.
    — Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of statement
Noun
  • With more auditions to come, only time will tell if King got the coveted ticket to Hollywood to continue in the competition.
    — Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Only one other team, the Houston Astros, offers a median price for Opening Day tickets above $300 – placing both Texas teams in the top four on the Gametime chart.
    — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • Los Angeles fires and recovery Malibu businesses are struggling in the aftermath of fire and continuing restrictions along Pacific Coast Highway.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, several places have issued stern warnings to partiers and restrictions this year.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, said Putin is likely in no rush to end the war amid the fissures between Trump and Zelensky and between Europe and the U.S. about the way ahead.
    — AAMER MADHANI, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
  • With support for Proposition 1 varying little across race or geography, ideological lines proved to be the main fissure.
    — Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • But his career came to a screeching halt later that year.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
  • His term began with large-scale immigration raids, a halt to asylum processing for undocumented migrants, and executive orders aimed at expanding the authority of ICE to arrest and detain those in the country illegally.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • The equation no longer corresponds to a Turing machine that computes perfect squares—and, more generally, the Diophantine equations can no longer encode the halting problem.
    — Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of correspond

Phrases Containing check

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Cite this Entry

“Check.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/check. Accessed 24 Mar. 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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