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

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

Many of them fear job losses and service cutbacks if federal funding dries up. —Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Jhon Arias was the only one to miss, skying Moller Wolfe’s cutback against Brighton & Hove Albion. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

Experts also say the benefits of India cutting back on Russian oil purchases outweigh the downsides. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025

Use clean, sharp hand pruners to cut back stems and foliage to 2 to 3 inches above the ground. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, 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