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cut down; cutting down; cuts down
Definition of cut down
1a : to strike down and kill or incapacitate
b : knock down
2a : to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings
b : to remake in a smaller size
: to reduce or curtail volume or activity
cut down on smoking
cut down to size
: to reduce from an inflated or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature
Examples of cut down in a Sentence
we need to cut down that dying tree
Recent Examples on the Web The museum has cut down the number of theater performances and closed access to some exhibits.
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USA TODAY, "Jobbie Nooner, blowback at bars, fake mask exemptions: News from around our 50 states," 29 June 2020 New York, once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, used these strategies and an extended lockdown to cut down on its outbreak of cases.
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Eric Levenson, CNN, "Public health experts are increasingly frustrated with America's lack of leadership on coronavirus," 26 June 2020 Experts have been saying for months that wearing face masks can help cut down on the spread of COVID-19.
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Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, "Model predicts US coronavirus deaths to hit nearly 180,000 by October," 25 June 2020 Demand for tankers is dissipating, however, as oil prices rise and governments start using record high oil reserves, which will cut down on tanker sailings or their use as floating storage, with earnings retreating as a result.
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Costas Paris, WSJ, "Maersk Tankers Changes Course in Volatile Oil Markets," 20 June 2020 Harsch's body was found cut down from a tree May 31 in Victorville, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.
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NBC News, "Family says man found hanging in California died by suicide," 20 June 2020 Schneider was slated to play for the Cincinnati Steam after seeing his University of New Mexico season cut down because of COVID-19.
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Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Midland offers a league of their own for displaced Greater Cincinnati baseball players," 18 June 2020 This pack of reusable 16 face wipes will cut down on buying disposable ones.
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Billy Cadden, Popular Science, "Products to reduce the amount of garbage in your life," 16 June 2020 Fearing for their safety, the family tried to go home later that night -- only to find trees cut down, blocking their way out.
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Author: Riley Haun, Anchorage Daily News, "Hundreds in Washington apologize to family in bus camper caught up in unfounded antifa scare," 12 June 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cut down.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cut down
cutdown
nouncut·down | \ ˈkət-ˌdau̇n 
\
\Medical Definition of cutdown
: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)
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Time Traveler for cut down
The first known use of cut down was in 1571
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