cutback

noun cut·back \ ˈkət-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 20 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

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
Gallego noted that while Arizona had made progress on some fronts, Ducey supports cutbacks in Medicaid, which is a key treatment resource for many low-income Arizonans.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "Martha McSally heads opioid hearing in Phoenix; Kyrsten Sinema leaves it early," 30 May 2018
Don’t wait for rumblings of cutbacks—or a buyout offer—to act.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 23 May 2018
That system, like Pennsylvania, has faced budget woes and cutbacks, some during Greenstein’s tenure.

— susan snyder, Philly.com, "New chancellor hired for Pennsylvania's state universities," 21 May 2018
The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments May 29 on San Diego’s six-year-old pension cutbacks, which the court could vindicate or overturn.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 29 state Supreme Court hearing set on San Diego pension overhaul," 10 May 2018
Days of rallies forced Mr. Ortega to withdraw his social security cutbacks, release detained protesters and allow a television station back on the air.

— frances robles, New York Times, "‘We Are Nicaragua’: Students Revolt, but Now Face a More Daunting Task," 27 Apr. 2018
The number of daily flights is down, too, not only because of United's cutbacks, but also because U.S. airlines, across the nation, are reducing their reliance on smaller, regional jets in favor of larger airplanes.

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "Why Cleveland Hopkins airport has more passengers, lower fares despite fewer destinations," 22 Apr. 2018
Ikea’s planned 289,000-square-foot store in Live Oak at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35 is not part of that cutback strategy, Ikea spokeswoman Latisha Bracy said in an email.

— joshua fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "Ikea still plans to open San Antonio-area store after pulling out of North Carolina location," 25 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.