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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in curtailment
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cut-back
Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Faulk is one of the greatest NFL running backs ever, capable of slicing a defensive tackle’s heart out with a cutback and embarrassing a linebacker on a swing pass.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
While 58 percent of Gen Zers have cut back on dating due to financial pressures, 31 percent also admit to going on dates just for the free meal.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Verb
Alexander Sorloth was one of the first to reap the rewards of simply ignoring the offside trap, sidefooting home from a cut-back for Atletico Madrid back in March after Conor Gallagher was set free down the left.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Even though the money has since been sent out, the pause in releasing those funds led to a scramble among school districts and cutbacks in budgets.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Faulk is one of the greatest NFL running backs ever, capable of slicing a defensive tackle’s heart out with a cutback and embarrassing a linebacker on a swing pass.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Clean and dispose of any debris after cutting back hostas to prevent pests.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
While 58 percent of Gen Zers have cut back on dating due to financial pressures, 31 percent also admit to going on dates just for the free meal.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut-back
Verb
-
Analysts estimate the shutdown is shaving billions off the gross domestic product each week and has left around 803,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay—many of them lower-wage employees.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The shot clock, normally at 24 seconds in a real game, is shaved to five.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sam's Club previously had shortened hours on Sunday.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Just last month, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was shortened to 18 holes due to severe thunderstorms, ultimately leading to its cancellation.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In past shutdowns, that has led to the closures of hundreds of national parks and museums, the curtailment of veterans' services, the suspension of health inspections, the postponement of immigration hearings and a slew of other impacts.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Sep. 2025
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Timberview had cut the lead to 32-22 but couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ rushing attack.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Ohtani threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in an abbreviated start.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Key Takeaways Small caps lead weekly gains, Russell 2000 jumps 3.5% Jobs report shows strength, but private sector lags behind Markets calm despite tariff uncertainty and Elon Musk drama Despite the abbreviated trading week, stocks posted decent gains.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
After one year, participants in all three groups saw reductions not only in their distress but in levels of hemoglobin A1C (a key indicator of blood glucose; higher levels mean worse control).—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
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Rudolph said the tools, which are mainly used to automate session notes, to autogenerate care plans and to interpret lab results, have resulted in a 65 percent reduction in documentation time.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Keep your toenails clipped and short.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, as the pack barrelled into Turn 10, Russell slammed into the barriers after clipping the inside wall approaching the corner.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
-
For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut-back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut-back. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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