No need to check, restrain, or even curb your enthusiasm for today’s Synonym of the Day. To curb something is to restrain or control it. This meaning is rooted in the noun sense of curb, a bit used to control a horse. However, the verb is most commonly used to talk about restricting or limiting negative forces such as violence, corruption, or pollution.

The adjective bashful isn’t one for the spotlight, but it’s the center of attention today! Bashful is an adjective that means “uncomfortably diffident and easily embarrassed.” This timid term suggests trepidation and awkward behavior when brought into prominence or notice. However, sometimes bashful suggests modesty and sensitivity more than fear or self-doubt.

The adjective nonchalant is used to describe someone who behaves in a coolly unconcerned manner or exudes a calm, casual air. If a person is feeling nervous or uncertain but wants to give an impression of confidence—as, for example, during a job interview or on a first date—they might try to appear nonchalant. But a nonchalant attitude in the face of serious matters or perilous circumstances can be received as chilly indifference.