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
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Recent Examples of cut back
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Two Scenarios Investors Should Watch Lower token prices could boost consumption, or AI’s limited ROI could drive companies to cut back.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
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
Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Resident Raymond Hanley said his concern is that anti-pollution systems that Silverman would install in its parking lots and roadways could become useless if property maintenance is cut back in the future.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Two Scenarios Investors Should Watch Lower token prices could boost consumption, or AI’s limited ROI could drive companies to cut back.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Adjective
The Vikings want to base out of the wide zone, where offensive linemen fire off the ball in tandem and running backs find clear cut-back lanes.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 12 June 2026
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
Noun
The layoffs are the latest to hit Hollywood, which has been hard hit by the exodus of film and TV jobs to other states and countries, a cutback in the number of films being released and media consolidation.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
-
The researchers estimated that those who got neither bright days nor dark nights were shaving five years off their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
Shop around and compare offers from at least three lenders, as doing so can shave close to a full percentage point off your rate, and be sure to talk to lenders directly about terms and costs that may not appear online.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Sean Combs is getting his sentence shortened.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
That increases visibility and shortens the time needed to attract qualified applicants.—
Audrey Payne,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
In recent years, shorts have been getting smaller, shorter, more abbreviated.—
Max Berlinger,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
-
Tessa Francis fired an abbreviated no-hitter with eight strikeouts, while Ashley Mortensen went 3-for-4 as Marblehead routed Winthrop 12-0 in five innings in the Northeastern Conference.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 June 2026
-
In exchange for the curtailment of some freedoms, the people submit to an authority, thereby gaining protection and security.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The current unrest first erupted in May after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Some analysts expect Apple could benefit as manufacturers of Android devices cut specs or raise prices.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
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
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For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2022
Noun
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This is a crisis that cannot be ignored, especially with school-age children now in summer vacation, which means even further reductions in access to healthy foods.—
Michael Farver,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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Because these specific phases normally represent one-quarter of total cell manufacturing expenditures, their reduction alters the overall processing economics.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The platform also allows users to translate their podcasts into more than 30 languages, using a cloned version of the Rebel user’s voice, and to immediately clip portions of their podcast.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Incidents of planes clipping each other's wings on the ground are not uncommon.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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