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

But the National Transportation Safety Board painted a more complex picture, in which cutbacks at Exxon had left the crew of the tanker overworked. —Alex Kuffner, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

First District Supervisor and Board Chair Hilda Solis reminded the board that the Department of Public Health closed seven clinics earlier this year, with seven remaining in what is the beginning of cutbacks to county services from losses of federal healthcare dollars. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026

Verb

Consumers cut back in other areas, however. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026

And on Friday came the news that the distillery was cutting back production to just one shift, a major decrease that might not come as a surprise to anyone who has been following the current state of the whiskey industry. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 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
• 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