Word
curbed
US/ˈkɝbd/
UK/kˈɜːbd/
Definition
v. past form of 'curb' — to hold something back or keep it under control, like spending or anger.
v. the past tense and past participle of 'curb'; to restrain, limit, or hold in check.
Examples
“They curb spending by cooking at home.”
“The city curbed traffic in the center by adding bus lanes and bike paths.”
“After years of unchecked expansion, the new regulations curbed development along the river and preserved the wetlands for future generations.”
Examples
simple
“They curb spending by cooking at home.”
contextual
“The city curbed traffic in the center by adding bus lanes and bike paths.”
complex
“After years of unchecked expansion, the new regulations curbed development along the river and preserved the wetlands for future generations.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “curbed” in context.
Verb
01. government curb
“The government curbed public spending after the deficit widened.”
noun + verb
02. help curb
“Cycling to work helped curb fuel costs and air pollution.”
verb + verb
03. law curb
“The new law curbed the powers of large landlords.”
noun + verb
04. seek to curb
“The government seeks to curb excessive borrowing by households.”
verb + to + verb
Adjective
05. effectively curb
“The new law effectively curbed smoking in public places.”
adv + verb
06. sharply curb
“The council sharply curbed late-night noise after residents complained.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. curb anger
“He took a breath to curb his anger during the argument.”
verb + noun
08. curb inflation
“Higher interest rates curbed inflation over the following year.”
verb + noun
09. curb on immigration
“The policy curbed immigration on work visas last year.”
verb + prep + noun
10. curb spending
“She curbed spending on clothes to save for a holiday.”
verb + noun
11. aim to curb inflation
“The central bank aims to curb inflation by raising rates.”
12. help curb rising costs
“Working from home helped curb rising transport costs.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“A huge attack cut power to 600,000 people in Kyiv, and a Pentagon-funded satellite internet program appeared to be curbed without warning.” “On Sunday, Zelenskyy said he would be ready to stop hitting Russian oil refineries if Russia curbed its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.” “Since the Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi took power in the coup that ousted Morsi, civil liberties have been curbed and domestic political opposition has been violently crushed.” “He called the October 2025 “ceasefire” a “strategic achievement” that has since curbed Hamas’s military power.” Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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