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

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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

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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

If Seattle’s plan is to curb Walker’s exceptional start, Kansas City will need to do the same against Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. — Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 More than a decade later, these efforts have been substantially curbed by USAID cuts. — Ananya Rupanagunta, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

The latest move by Taipei — a central node in global semiconductor manufacturing — is a significant step in curtailing black market sales to Chinese companies seeking to bypass US curbs. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Even the yellow markings along British curbs had to disappear. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb

Verb

An architect’s struggle with Nevada’s state licensing board raises a broader question about how to regulate industry.

— Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
The group says it’s shaped several must-haves by taking lessons from Washington’s failure to regulate social media.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Noun

For instance, the Supreme Court in late October allowed New Hampshire to enforce restrictions on using student identification cards as valid voter IDs.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
McKnight ordered the restrictions after the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), which handles certain disciplinary actions involving clergy, issued a penal precept for Kallal.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of restriction

Verb

In her latest book, Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that Big Tech now controls the United States—and, by extension, the entire planet.

— Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
He was angered when the team's controlling owner moved the team to Atlanta for the 1966 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

This is increasingly important as water scarcity places pressure on communities and infrastructure, even in traditionally water-secure regions, leading to restrictions and, in some cases, constraints on power generation.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Tehran fears that surrendering its maritime leverage first would invite fresh demands; Washington worries that easing pressure would reward coercion without securing lasting constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraint

Verb

On the strength of those elections, restrained only marginally by the midterm elections of 1982, Reagan began his second term on top of the world.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Security restrained Kruse’s arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrain

Noun

Because of this limitation, even the emergence of an antibiotic-resistant strain won’t necessarily spark a new pandemic, Wagner says, noting that such strains have already shown up in Madagascar.

— Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Hurun cross-checked its information with entrepreneurs, regulators, industry experts and others to compile the list, while acknowledging limitations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitation

Verb

Shauf quit drinking in 2020, and while The Party contains its fair share of drunken regret, alcohol is a more central subject on the afterparty’s other two outtakes.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
The medical response has focused largely on treating and containing the disease, with little to no attention to the mental health of those affected.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

The combination would allow the aircraft to launch a high-speed weapon against targets from considerable distances, keeping the launch platform away from some threats.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
If the Fed keeps rates on hold, Warsh will be pushed to explain why the central bank hiked in September but not this month.

— Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of keep

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“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curb. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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