as in controls
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
as in restrictions
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
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 curbs
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Many countries around the world have moved to restrict children’s use of many digital platforms on the heels of Australia’s landmark curbs on social media, though there is debate about whether gaming services should be included.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The Pelham Boulevard reconstruction project will replace underground utilities, sidewalks, street surface, curbs, lighting and pedestrian ramps.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
Homeowners across Central Florida have been frustrated to find their piles of dead leaves, branches and plants — victims of February’s hard freeze — still sitting on their curbs because waste haulers haven’t picked it up on time.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Use cut stone, corten steel, or bluestone curbs to define your driveway, prevent edging damage, and protect your plant beds.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
The government has also ordered cuts in non-essential public expenditure and urged lower power consumption in industry, with curbs on excessive lighting, for example.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
South Korea encouraged quicker showers and is considering widening curbs on driving, while Egypt ordered stores and restaurants to close early.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump‘s executive order curbs birthright citizenship of children of undocumented immigrants and of children of those who are in the country on a temporary basis, such as through a student, work or tourist visa.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The midtown road was resurfaced with new sidewalks and curbs.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Many countries around the world have moved to restrict children’s use of many digital platforms on the heels of Australia’s landmark curbs on social media, though there is debate about whether gaming services should be included.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The Pelham Boulevard reconstruction project will replace underground utilities, sidewalks, street surface, curbs, lighting and pedestrian ramps.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
Homeowners across Central Florida have been frustrated to find their piles of dead leaves, branches and plants — victims of February’s hard freeze — still sitting on their curbs because waste haulers haven’t picked it up on time.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Use cut stone, corten steel, or bluestone curbs to define your driveway, prevent edging damage, and protect your plant beds.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
The government has also ordered cuts in non-essential public expenditure and urged lower power consumption in industry, with curbs on excessive lighting, for example.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
South Korea encouraged quicker showers and is considering widening curbs on driving, while Egypt ordered stores and restaurants to close early.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Trump‘s executive order curbs birthright citizenship of children of undocumented immigrants and of children of those who are in the country on a temporary basis, such as through a student, work or tourist visa.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curbs
Verb
-
Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After his availability is determined, Redick said the team will discuss any potential minutes restrictions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Last fall, the Pentagon required reporters who cover the military to sign on to a host of restrictions in order to maintain daily access to the building.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Layered moisture management technology regulates temperature and wicks away moisture, and down alternative gives it just the right plushness for your preference in soft, medium, and firm varieties.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While the Federal Aviation Administration regulates airspace, local governments control land use, giving Cobb County the final say on whether the drone hub could be built at that specific site.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The shows are accompanied by similar drops in ad revenue and increasing production costs, an ongoing shift to digital viewership, political constraints and publicity-friendly interview questions.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Once free of quota constraints, the Emirates can up its production by more than 40% to 5 million barrels per day, intensifying competition in markets where sub-Saharan Africa’s higher-cost producers are already vulnerable.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a Back Porch offers a bite-size portion (or perhaps a better analogy would be a beer flight) of what the Dead’s vault contains.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a pocket door and contains a shower (with a curtain or optional glass enclosure), a sink, and a choice of flushing, composting, or incinerating toilet, plus a washer/dryer.—
Adam Williams
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His voice and his music are unfailingly tasteful and pleasant, which is a key part of both his appeal and limitations.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The next three points argue for limitations to patents and copyrights.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After three verse-chorus repetitions, the quartet stop the song cold and set off in a new direction, churning out pure noise even as drummer Steve Shelley keeps everyone anchored.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In comparable territory, The Outsiders keeps things earnest, and even Stranger Things, for all its loopiness, plays its baby-monster antihero story tragic and straight.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curbs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
