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

Too many governments are still trying to curb conflicts using the UN or international courts. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The outcome could result in billions of dollars in penalties for Meta and potentially lead to significant changes to the platforms, as countries from Australia to Poland to Vietnam look to curb youth access to social media. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

The gang hauls the contraption to the front curb and pours their non-alcoholic beers into it. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The city installed curb extensions, added yellow paint to the crosswalks and installed tuff curbs with flexible posts between traffic lanes near the crosswalks. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curb

Verb

Sleep can also deteriorate, disrupting hormones that help regulate hunger.

— Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Experiencing water passively, as when savoring a lake or ocean view or hearing the sounds of waves, can also spur calm and help regulate stress response.

— Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulate

Noun

The majority are rated for adults, but others are deemed suitable for teens, and a few have no age restrictions.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
The organization said the changes are intended to keep its textile and leather labels compliant as the bloc tightens its restrictions on green claims.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of restriction

Verb

The Ravens did that, committing only three penalties for 25 yards (the Eagles had 10 for 96), limiting their mistakes and controlling the line of scrimmage.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Sprays to control Asian psyllids are needed, along with minor nutrient and traditional fertilizer applications.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

Yet its bodywork is relatively restrained, avoiding the huge wings, complex vents and aggressive appendages found on many contemporary hypercars.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
One of the topics raised by Cullen is that Championship clubs need to find ways to boost income alongside restraining costs.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

The Cohen Building originally housed the Social Security Administration, an important piece of the New Deal legacy, and contains frescoes painted in the 1940s by famed artist Seymour Fogel on the entrance lobby walls, Okin said.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.

— Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Jurin keeps working after the conversation ends—across phone, email, web chat and LINE, the messaging app used by the vast majority of Japan’s population—connecting plain language to the software that acts.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Turnbull says the state could do better keeping an open line of communication with road crews.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of curb

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on curb

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes