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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
How federal funding works At the beginning of every grant year, the NIH or the National Science Foundation sends a Notice of Award detailing approval for a certain amount of spending in the next grant year, but a check isn’t sent to Northwestern. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 Despite his diagnosis, Jones’ commitment to high-volume endurance training and dedication to surveillance imaging has helped keep his condition in check. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
To check if your dog is eligible to join the STAY study, go to the Loyal website. —Paul McClure 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2025 Why the extra 15 minutes for passengers who want to check a bag? —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 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
  • Terrible policy Perhaps Gabbard is sounding the alarm to discredit efforts — including a sanctions bill held up in Congress pending a green light from Trump — to pressure Putin into a meaningful negotiation on ending his war.
    — Marc Champion, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
  • The Senate bill strengthens formulas to target the highest-poverty districts and schools better.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • Businesses in both states performed almost identically, with those nearest the border passing at least 95% of inspections on average.
    — Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • No action was taken from the inspection beyond citations for safety violations against the vessel, said Lt. Nicolina Converso, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, which includes the Southeast and the Caribbean.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Definition of inspection
Noun
  • Photos were taken when the reagent was used, according to the probable cause statement.
    — Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • Garon Nathaniel Killian, 20, of Lenoir, was being held in jail without bond, the Catawba County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 June 2025
Definition of statement
Noun
  • In a break from recent years, neither event is raising its starting ticket price this year.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Other prizes include a free $3 ticket, which was what the winner initially thought would be revealed from their scratch-off.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of ticket
Noun
  • The country's nuclear program was subject to extensive restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached in 2015 under then-U.S. President Barack Obama, but the deal was abandoned by President Donald Trump in 2018.
    — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The change in minimum lot size could be coupled with parking requirements or other restrictions to manage the increase in density.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • Scientists were alerted to its relatively rapid movement due to a large fissure that appeared in Ethiopia in 2005.
    — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
  • With all of that pressure, fissures can reveal themselves.
    — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • Taylor Walls belted a homer and drove in three runs, Danny Jansen added a two-run shot and Brandon Lowe had a solo homer for the Rays, who saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
  • Zero visibility strategy: In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • This name was given due to the corresponding farming season of picking strawberries, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 June 2025
  • That corresponds to a timeline of its operations outlined by prosecutors in their charging document against Lopez and his four co-defendants.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 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 16 Jun. 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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