CURB Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

curb 1 of 2

verb

Definition of curb

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

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

Schumer similarly spearheaded efforts to curb unilateral presidential tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the legal basis the Supreme Court rejected in February. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Johnson went on to say his administration would continue efforts to curb gun violence and support those affected by shootings. — Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

This work will add bicycle lanes and paths, improve drainage, upgrade traffic signals, sidewalk curbs and signs and resurface existing roadway. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Instead of relying entirely on those wheels, though, this robot has flexible legs and can bend its knees to deal with obstacles like curbs and stairs along the way. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb

Verb

Most Popular For Holey, skincare shouldn’t overpower the skin, but support it in regulating itself.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
They’re regulated on the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulate

Noun

New York City just instituted a sweeping ban on schools using AI in the classroom through the start of high school, along with other restrictions on the technology.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Rosaviatsiya -- announced temporary flight restrictions at airports in Sochi, Gelendzhik, Penza, Saratov, Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of restriction

Verb

During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Importantly, this outlook not only incorporates the chip supply Broadcom expects to receive, but also physical infrastructure constraints such as land, power, and data center shells.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The product should solve a constraint that customers can quantify.

— John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

Appropriately so, given the placid recent range and the clockwork mechanics of sector rotation and low-correlation restraining index-level volatility.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
This was the context for Justice Brewer’s remarks about Philip sober restraining Philip drunk.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Noun

The approach is designed around the limitations of small aerial vehicles, where additional weight and continuous motor operation can quickly drain a battery.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Financial constraints might have prevented Jarmond from firing Kelly sooner, but those limitations didn’t prevent him from extending Kelly’s contract in 2023.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of limitation

Verb

The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit, first reported by the Times of San Diego, contains previously unreported details about the shooting and the events leading up to it.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

In a rebuttal argument, prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo pointed to a scrapbook Davis kept containing articles about Shakur.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Details of the contract have been mostly kept secret, as both companies said the agreement contained confidential business information.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of keep

Browse Nearby Words

curators

curb

curbed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of curb

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes