curb 1 of 2

verb

Definition of curbnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

curb

2 of 2

noun

ˈkərb How to pronounce curb (audio)
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

Synonym Chooser

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
Education Secretary Linda McMahon insisted Tuesday the White House’s recent demands are not about curbing freedom of speech. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025 Nvidia stock fell Monday morning amid the Trump administration’s efforts to curb chip sales to China, while its tech champ is ramping up production at home. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
Martin is proposing to build a curb and gutter and widen a section of the street, but not build the sidewalk. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 Porsche attributed the biggest improvements in the car to the chassis, which was more stable over curbs and bumps. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb
  1. regulate
  2. restriction
  3. control
  4. constraint
  5. restrain
  6. limitation
  7. contain
  8. keep
Verb
  • Its double-sided design keeps your body temperature regulated all night long, with one side made of cool gel memory and the other of breathable bamboo viscose.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The panelists agreed that a focused, narrow bill regulating stablecoins could help cement the U.S. dollar’s dominance in a digital future.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulate
Noun
  • Some cities and retailers banned plastic straws, and a few states imposed restrictions.
    — Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Judges have recently blocked or suspended efforts by the Trump administration to ban transgender people from the military, abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and to place restrictions on birthright citizenship.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of restriction
Verb
  • Boone was asked if Chisholm needs to find a better way to control his emotions.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At the heart of the book is the recognition that almost all of the Sturm und Drang of the most destructive century in history has revolved around one place -- the Eurasian landmass -- and one issue: who controls it.
    — John Hillen, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • That pivot involved epistemic uncertainty—consumer behavior, bandwidth constraints, and content rights.
    — Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The constraints and challenges that stand in the way of developing these capabilities are real.
    — ANDREW S. LIM, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • Rosemary restrained herself from scratching at her wig.
    — Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data.
    — Dylan Peers McCoy, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of restrain
Noun
  • Read product labels for specific uses and limitations.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Elderly adults are more susceptible to diseases, impairments and mobility limitations that require prescription drugs and accessories like walkers, shower seats, incontinence products, pacemakers and insulin pumps.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of limitation
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.
    — Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Factors To Consider The first step in a laundry routine that is a bit more forgiving of a time lapse between cycles is all about keeping a clean washing machine.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of keep

Browse Nearby Words

curators
curb
curbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on curb

Nglish: Translation of curb for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All