cutback

cut·back | \ ˈkət-ˌbak

How to pronounce cutback (audio)

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Definition of cutback

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something cut back

2 : reduction a cutback in funding

cut back

cut back; cutting back; cuts back

Definition of cut back (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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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 Exports of American timber to China have fallen by 40%, and loggers have made cutbacks and layoffs. — The Economist, "Stock take," 2 Dec. 2019 Misdirection plays with the QB and running back, cutbacks by Hunter. — Matt Goul, cleveland, "Shorthanded Avon overtakes Benedictine, 49-28, to make third straight D-II, Region 6 final," 16 Nov. 2019 But growth has dwindled over the last two years, with overall car sales dropping 8% last year amid a general economic slowdown and cutbacks on government subsidies for electric vehicles. — Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, "Ford and GM take a hit in China as German carmakers thrive," 15 Jan. 2020 The world’s top producer of luxury and commercial vehicles set the scene for the cutbacks two months ago when Kallenius warned investors returns may remain depressed for the next two years. — Christoph Rauwald, Bloomberg.com, "Daimler Pledges That Cost Cuts Today Will Fund the Cars of Tomorrow," 7 Jan. 2020 In 2016, with employees in an uproar over the layoffs, Intel CEO Krzanich admitted the cutbacks damaged the company’s relationship with its workers. — oregonlive, "Age discrimination: Intel investigation drags on for years, worker protections lag," 8 Dec. 2019 The key is Saudi Arabia taking the lead under new Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to take on the biggest cutbacks and to insist on stronger compliance with other OPEC+ countries moving forward. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "OPEC+ finalizes deal to cut 500K additional barrels through March," 6 Dec. 2019 Public opinion and legislation might also curtail the amount of fossil fuels the Pentagon could use, forcing a cutback on training. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Climate Change Could Seriously Weaken the U.S. Military," 29 Oct. 2019 Protesters had not been highly critical of Pierluisi before Friday but expressed disgust with the succession process and Pierluisi’s ties to the federal control board that has promoted cutbacks on the island. — Washington Post, "Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in," 3 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Also cutting back sharply is Air China, which flies the most passengers nonstop between the United States and China. — David Yaffe-bellany, New York Times, "From Starbucks to FedEx, Coronavirus Upends Businesses That Depend on China," 10 Feb. 2020 Provide boneset with moderate irrigation and cut back in late spring for best summer appearance. — Thad Orr, Sunset Magazine, "Your Essential Winter Gardening To-Do List," 10 Feb. 2020 China has placed more than 50 million people in the region under virtual quarantine, while foreign countries, companies and airlines have cut back severely on travel to China and quarantined those who recently passed through Wuhan. — Ken Moritsugu, Anchorage Daily News, "U.S. airlines say they will suspend or reduce flights between the U.S. and China," 31 Jan. 2020 China has placed more than 50 million people in the region under virtual quarantine, while foreign countries, companies and airlines have cut back severely on travel to China and quarantined those who recently passed through Wuhan. — Ken Moritsuguand Zeke Miller, BostonGlobe.com, "US declares emergency, new entry restrictions due to virus," 31 Jan. 2020 Outsourcing and foreign maintenance work has become a rallying point for mechanics unions in recent years as airlines cut back on the amount of work done by their own employees in favor of cheaper work done by contractors or overseas. — Dallas News, "Does American Airlines’ new deal with its mechanics signal a trend away from outsourcing?," 31 Jan. 2020 Airlines American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines are all suspending or cutting back on flights between the U.S. and China. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, "China coronavirus causing chaos for U.S. companies," 30 Jan. 2020 Employers won’t hire as many people or cut back on workers’ hours, said Edie Ousley, spokeswoman. — Marcia Heroux Pounds, sun-sentinel.com, "Raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour? Here’s who gains and who loses," 12 Dec. 2019 That decision has meant less disposable income and cutting back on nonessentials like vacations or phone upgrades. — USA Today, "America's parents want paid family leave and affordable child care. Why can't they get it?," 3 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cutback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

5 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cutback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20back. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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