curb 1 of 2

curb

2 of 2

noun

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
Raskin condemned the administration’s efforts to curb public education, contending President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon can’t abolish the agency without congressional approval. ABC News, 3 July 2025 Cincinnati officials announced during a May 14 press conference that events and services would be expanded for youth this summer in an effort to curb crime and violence. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
Upon responding, officers encountered a car parked on the curb facing backwards, with an unresponsive man inside. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025 Western auto industry groups have been hit particularly hard by the export curbs, with many increasingly concerned about production outages. Sam Meredith,dylan Butts, CNBC, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for curb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb
Verb
  • Camps nationwide are regulated in a number of ways in order to prevent tragedies.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • Unlike medications, supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Starting in the 1970s, home construction plummeted and prices soared in high-opportunity coastal cities because of restrictions on supply.
    Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 2025
  • The company said in a statement that inventory value adjustments and the impact of U.S. restrictions on advanced AI chips for China had contributed to the decline in profits.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
  • Since 1980, for instance, neither party has controlled the Senate for more than eight consecutive years; never has the Senate changed hands so often over such a long period.
    Ronald Brownstein, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Davis is a magnetic front man, and the Roadhouse Band is an intoxicatingly raucous live outfit, but the constraints of the setup suited his new material, which is suffused with listlessness and yearning, dark jokes and wordy disquisitions on desire.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • The graphic novel format gave him the freedom to imagine without limitation—unbound by the logistical constraints of filmmaking.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • There have been no recorded shoe bombings, in the sky or on the ground, since passengers and crew subdued and restrained Reid on that 2001 flight.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
  • Crew members and passengers noticed and restrained him.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • And that our natural limitations are not just physical, but also social and cognitive.
    Pia Lauritzen, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Isaacson says the limitations on mobility in immigrant communities will have ripple effects across the nation's economy.
    Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The memo also contains a link to about 11 hours of footage of Epstein in his cell released as proof of his suicide—which quickly faced more scrutiny after viewers realized about a minute of footage was missing.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • But the binders contained information that had largely already been in the public domain.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Discover easy meal prep strategies, nutritious grab-and-go options, and time-saving hacks to keep you fueled and focused throughout the day.
    Essence, Essence, 10 July 2025
  • There are plenty of curly-hair products designed to soften the hair and reduce itching associated with keeping a style in for too long.
    Taylor Bryant, Glamour, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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