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 of cutback

Verb

• shave
• cut
• clip
• trim
• lop (off)

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

Hundreds of immigrants lawfully present in Connecticut are slated to lose their Medicare coverage by January, the latest federal cutback that’s spurred some lawmakers and advocates here to call for state intervention. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

That also could open up opportunities to the thousands of tech workers the latest jobs report noted have suffered from cutbacks and are searching for reinvention. — Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

As candidates get close to election time, even those furthest on the left tend to cut back on the anti-billionaire talk and focus on affordability or, more recently, on Gaza and aid to Israel. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Use a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears and remove the entire flower head, cutting back to the nearest node or set of leaves. — The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for cutback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• dieback

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