1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
we need to cut back the bushes a bit so that the house number is visible from the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shorten
to make less in extent or duration
cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in curtailed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in curtailment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cut back
Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
In other cases, cut back on watering your indoor plants and install proper drainage in moisture-prone areas like the basement or crawlspace.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Federal officials also are eyeing cutbacks in assistance for K-12 education, public colleges and universities, and other health care programs that could cost the state and its municipalities hundreds of millions in additional yearly assistance.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Sherman said 1,800 units would be a realistic goal assuming the Republicans do not act on proposals to cut back two of the key pillars of the financing model — veteran rental subsidies and tax credits.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
In other cases, cut back on watering your indoor plants and install proper drainage in moisture-prone areas like the basement or crawlspace.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Noun
Government jobs were up, despite the federal cutbacks.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Federal officials also are eyeing cutbacks in assistance for K-12 education, public colleges and universities, and other health care programs that could cost the state and its municipalities hundreds of millions in additional yearly assistance.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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Inside the prison, they were forced to kneel as their heads were shaved by guards.—
Nidia Cavazos,
CBS News,
23 May 2025
-
Fred’s highlight this season has been shaving his beard.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Paper gowns could be easily shortened to miniskirt length to wear as a reception or getaway dress.—
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 May 2025
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The jacket sleeves were shortened along with her trousers, leaving a well-deserved moment for Jackson’s statement combat boots.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Trump had repeatedly hinted that a future peace deal would include Ukrainian territorial and political concessions and be twinned with the curtailment of U.S. aid to Kyiv.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
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In March, grid operators in California shut down 80 gigawatt-hours of the state’s renewable power because the grid couldn’t handle the afternoon solar surge; without more capacity to store power, even larger curtailments will occur.—
David G. Victor,
Foreign Affairs,
13 June 2017
Verb
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Republican bill cuts Medicaid for unemployed, undocumented children, Planned Parenthood How much do Americans rely on programs like Medicaid and Social Security?—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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During that same period, the company cut 3,000 jobs.—
Lindsay Owens,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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But with 10 games left in the season, this new chapter has a chance to be more abbreviated than its potential.—
Danny Emerman,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The People's Bank of China announced 10 new measures intended to stabilize financial markets, including a reduction of deposits held in reserve and a lowering of interest rates across the board.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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This situation highlights a general downturn within the cruise sector, as Carnival Corp has seen a reduction of 12%, Viking Holdings experienced a decline of 2%, and Royal Caribbean stock yielded a modest increase of 3%.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The Japanese driver clipped the kerb and lost control of the rear of the RB21.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
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The funny thing about cord cutters is that their numbers are growing — and the size of this group is being fueled, obviously, by people clipping their ties to cable.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
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On Friday, Burrows, R-Lubbock, made public his request to Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee for an abridged video from a school hallway camera to be released.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
11 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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