cutback

1 of 2

noun

cut·​back ˈkət-ˌbak 

1

: something cut back

2

: reduction

a cutback in funding

cut back

2 of 2

verb

cut back; cutting back; cuts back

transitive verb

: to shorten by cutting : prune

intransitive verb

1

: to interrupt the sequence of a plot (as of a movie) by introducing events prior to those last presented

2

: cut down

cut back on sugar

Synonyms

Verb

• bob
• clip
• crop
• cut
• dock
• lop (off)
• nip
• pare
• poll
• prune
• shave
• shear
• snip
• trim

Examples of cutback in a Sentence

Verb

we need to cut back the bushes a bit so that the house number is visible from the street

cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other examples came six years ago, when O’Conner and St. Louise hospitals had to be sold, and this year, when Regional Medical Center initiated cutbacks in stroke care and other critical services. —Cindy Chavez, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

The eight members of the OPEC+ bloc — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman — will continue the voluntary daily 2.2 million-barrel cut through December 2024, adding a month to the cutback period. —Zack Budryk, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

O’Leary said the measure will be more pronounced as other countries cut back, meaning the difference will be closer to £10. —Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024

The video cuts back and forth from the second couple — both of whom turned 60 last month — to a beaming Roberts and his wife Tricia. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

cutback

1 of 2 noun

cut·​back ˈkət-ˌbak 

: an act or instance of cutting something back

cut back

2 of 2 verb

ˈkət-ˈbak

1

a

: prune entry 2 sense 2

b

: prune entry 2 sense 2a

2

: to reduce something in amount

cut back on smoking