1
: marked by, offering, or making use of a reduced rate or price
cut-rate stores
2
: second-rate, cheap
Examples of cut-rate in a Sentence
opted for a cut-rate insurance policy because we didn't need anything more
a cut-rate motel that looked like the kind at which people in horror movies always end up
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump wants to add a second story to the White House, feasting on its transformation from hallowed hall to cut-rate wedding cake.
—
Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
China’s trade partners also argue that Beijing is fueling overproduction that’s flooding export markets with cut-rate EVs.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Some investors doubt Tesla has found a unique path to cut-rate robotaxis.
—Chris Kirkham, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Note that cut-rate financing programs are generally restricted to those having stellar credit scores and qualifying incomes.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
In contrast, Wojnicz has a front seat to what reads hilariously as a cut-rate, drunken version down the street.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024
Ion, which is owned by Scripps, acquired rights for the WNBA in 2023 on a cut-rate, three-year pact; the league has recently seen its viewership explode, even more so after welcoming a popular 2024 draft class headlined by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 9 Aug. 2024
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Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
China’s trade partners also argue that Beijing is fueling overproduction that’s flooding export markets with cut-rate EVs.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Some investors doubt Tesla has found a unique path to cut-rate robotaxis.
—Chris Kirkham, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Note that cut-rate financing programs are generally restricted to those having stellar credit scores and qualifying incomes.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
In contrast, Wojnicz has a front seat to what reads hilariously as a cut-rate, drunken version down the street.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024
Ion, which is owned by Scripps, acquired rights for the WNBA in 2023 on a cut-rate, three-year pact; the league has recently seen its viewership explode, even more so after welcoming a popular 2024 draft class headlined by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 9 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Cut-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut-rate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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