check, curb, restrain, constrain

check, curb, restrain, constrain
These words refer to putting some control on action, movement, development, or progress, but they differ in minor ways. Check means "to arrest suddenly," "to halt": "The rider checked his horse and leaped from the saddle." Curb implies the use of a chain, strap, rope, or similar device for guiding, controlling, or forcing within boundaries: "The rider used a heavy bridle to curb his mount." Restrain suggests the use of actual force to hold back or control: "The referee restrained the angry player by grasping his arms." Constrain is related to restrain but also implies the idea of compulsion: "His conscience constrained him to return the money." In ordinary conversation, however, one may curb or check his tongue, and one may check, curb, restrain, or even constrain his impulses and desires.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • constrain — See check, curb, restrain, constrain. See check, curb, restrain, constrain …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • curb — See check, curb, restrain, constrain. See check, curb, restrain, constrain …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • restrain — See check, curb, restrain, constrain. See check, curb, restrain, constrain …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • check — See check, curb, restrain, constrain …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • curb — I verb arrest, brake, check, control, delay, detain, govern, harness, hinder, hold back, hold in check, hold up, impede, inhibit, keep within limits, limit, mitigate, moderate, muzzle, obstruct, prohibit, repress, restrain, retard, snub, stay,… …   Law dictionary

  • check — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) v. t. control, test, verify, tally, count; restrain, repress, halt, stop, arrest, impede, interrupt, curb; stunt. n. draft, money order; interruption, rebuff; setback, reverse, stop, restraint;… …   English dictionary for students

  • constrain — I (Roget s IV) v. Syn. necessitate, compel, hold back, stifle; see force 1 , restrain 1 . See Synonym Study at force . II (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) v. 1. force compel, drive, press, coerce, oblige, make, impel, pressure, prevail upon. 2.… …   English dictionary for students

  • check — Synonyms and related words: CD, IOU, MO, X, a reckoning of, abrade, abrasion, abysm, abyss, acceptance, acceptance bill, accord, account, account of, agree, allophone, alveolar, answer to, aperture, apico alveolar, apico dental, arrest,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • check — v 1. stop, arrest, stay, stall, bring to a standstill; halt, pause, hesitate, balk, brake; put a stop or an end to, terminate, end, quash, quell, squash, Inf. put the kibosh on, nip in the bud; cut, cut back on, decrease, diminish, reduce, lessen …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • restrain — v. a. 1. Check, curb, bridle, repress, suppress, withhold, constrain, coerce, keep, hold. 2. Hold back, hold in, keep under, check. 3. Hinder, prevent, debar, bar, stop, prohibit, interdict. 4. Restrict, confine, abridge, hinder, circumscribe,… …   New dictionary of synonyms

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