blank check

noun

Synonyms of blank checknext
1
: a signed check with the amount unspecified
2
: complete freedom of action or control : carte blanche

Examples of blank check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Tafoya arranged for five blank checks paid as bribes by a marijuana firm to be cashed with the help of his brother and passed one $10,000 check on to marketer Chavez, according to the plea agreement. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 In a striking example of the turnaround, Russia’s parliament recently gave the finance ministry a blank check to spend more and borrow past its debt ceiling without a formal budget or explicit legislative approval. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 June 2026 The state must demand absolute accountability and end the era of blank checks without metrics. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 After the season, multiple programs reached out with blank check offers to transfer. — David Ubben, New York Times, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for blank check

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blank check was in 1793

Rhymes for blank check

See All Rhymes for blank check

Browse Nearby Words

blank charter
blank check
blank check company
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blank check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blank%20check. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on blank check

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for blank check

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All