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

Mayor Rusty Knox said Tuesday that several Mecklenburg County towns who opposed the project are already experiencing cutbacks in highway funding projects. — Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Carlos Augusto’s 77th-minute goal from a Lautaro Martinez cutback led to a nervous finish. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

To afford the next trip, 52% said eating out less would be worth it, while 40% were willing to cut back on haircuts. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

This is somewhat detrimental to the development of Karen, since cutting back and forth interrupts the flow of her epistolary relationship with Wilson, whose stories morph into intimate letters. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 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
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• dieback

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