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

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

But all of this is at risk with federal cutbacks in NIH and NSF funding. —Alan M. Leventhal, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025

Without considerable cutbacks in basin-wide water consumption, fish populations could face dire consequences for at least one month of the irrigation season, scientists warned in the study, published Friday in Nature Sustainability. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 20 June 2025

Verb

But why veer toward meat sandwiches when many health-conscious people are cutting back. —Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

And although his wife also works, her job has cut back her working hours at times, which has also affected the couple’s ability to pay bills to keep their family of 10 afloat. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for cutback

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

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