cutback

noun cut·back \ ˈkət-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

Examples: cutback in a Sentence

Definition of cutback

1 : something cut back

2 : reduction

a cutback in funding

See cutback defined for English-language learners

See cutback defined for kids

Recent Examples of cutback from the Web

Across the country, 30 offices have shuttered, resulting in staff cutbacks and fewer hours at the offices that remain open.

— pamela ren larson, azcentral, "On World Refugee Day, refugee numbers are plummeting in U.S., Arizona under Trump," 20 June 2018
The Torino forward sent in a dangerous cross that forced Wojciech Szczesny into a diving stop, and moments later, from a similar spot, played a dangerous cutback ball that forced Poland into a clearance in the eighth minute.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "WATCH: Niang Seals Senegal's Win Over Poland on Bizarre Sequence," 19 June 2018
Discover did its roll-back in February, Chase made changes in June and Citi’s cutbacks take effect at the end of July.

— NBC News, "Major credit card companies are cutting their perks. Here's what you need to know.," 18 June 2018
During her research, McNeeley, the social scientist, found that there were once 48 stream gauges measuring water flow into the Washakie Reservoir, but their number had been reduced to about 12 because of federal funding cutbacks.

— john fialka, Scientific American, "A Wyoming Reservation Shows the New Face of Drought," 6 June 2018
The 4-year-old should make an easy lead on the cutback to one turn and will be very tough to run down late under apprentice Edgar Morales.

— scott shapiro, The Courier-Journal, "Twinspires.com's free expert pick for Monday at Churchill Downs," 27 May 2018
The closing of offices receiving fewer than 100 refugees per year, first reported by Reuters, was directed by the US State Department in response to sharp cutbacks in the number of refugees accepted by the US under President Trump.

— mica rosenberg, The Christian Science Monitor, "With fewer incoming refugees, US resettlement centers dwindle," 22 May 2018
What might be the impact on homeowners of an elimination or severe cutback on the exclusion?

— kenneth r. harney, chicagotribune.com, "This hefty tax benefit for homeowners hangs in the balance," 16 May 2017
Coupled with union concessions, corporate donations and city department cutbacks, the bailout allowed Hartford to trim spending by $43 million from the previous year.

— matthew ormseth, Courant Community, "With Council Approval, Hartford's $570 Million Budget Heads To Oversight Panel," 30 May 2018

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.

First Known Use of cutback

1897

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

cut back

verb

Definition of cut 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

See cut back defined for kids

Examples of cut back in a Sentence

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 of cut back from the Web

Michigan law now requires districts to have plans in place to cut back on the number of students being suspended or expelled, or risk losing some state funding.

— lori higgins, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit schools had 16,000 suspensions last year, aims to reduce them," 11 June 2018
Putting a household project on hold, dropping an unfulfilling obligation or simply cutting back on screen time leaves more room to soak up all that is summer in Wisconsin.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Keep it simple and seasonal in the kitchen during summer," 7 June 2018
American drivers are sensitive to higher prices at the pump, and eventually will find ways to cut back gasoline consumption.

— collin eaton, Houston Chronicle, "Rising prices could hit global demand, execs say," 21 May 2018
Not only are their pieces crafted entirely from recycled materials, but the very concept of renting, rather than buying, furniture is one that helps cut back on pollution.

— refinery29.com, "This Company Wants To Be The Rent The Runway Of Furniture," 16 May 2018
The most effective changes — having fewer children or cutting back on air travel — require sacrifices some might consider too great.

— NBC News, "'Ecotopia' teaches low-carbon living to Californians who aren't waiting for Trump to save the climate," 2 June 2018
Internet streaming has taken off as more consumers drop or cut back on their subscriptions to traditional cable TV.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Why Roku Is the Internet Video Box Leader, While Google Is Slipping," 31 May 2018
Cal Fire alleged Friday that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. failed to remove and cut back trees around power lines that sparked three wildfires in Butte and Nevada Counties in October.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "PG&E responsible for three Northern California wildfires, Cal Fire alleges | The Sacramento Bee," 25 May 2018
Trim cool season grasses in early spring, raking out dead leaves or cutting back the entire plant to about two inches above the crown, or base of the plant.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Ornamental Grasses," 24 May 2018

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