as in shortening
to make less in extent or duration
curtailed the school day because of the stormy weather
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Recent Examples of curtailing
Over more than 50 years, each new presidential administration has reassessed the place of spaceflight among its priorities, either encouraging or curtailing NASA’s efforts to return humans to the lunar surface.
—
Emily A. Margolis, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The closing of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic and attacks on energy sites across the Gulf are curtailing supplies and driving up the prices of key global commodities.
—Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
The consumer protection agencies most equipped to fight fraud, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, whose budget was nearly halved, have seen massive funding and staff cuts, curtailing their ability to enforce rules and actively target scammers.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In addition to thwarting complications, glues and netting can also abate bruising and swelling after facelift surgery, curtailing patients’ recovery.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
In total, over 20 key experts working on AXIS were removed from Goddard and from NASA entirely, significantly curtailing the team’s ability to execute.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
Still, Republican lawmakers appear likely to vote down measures curtailing presidential war powers this week.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The most effective lifestyle adjustment is to limit consumption of red meat, followed by quitting tobacco use, managing your blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, curtailing alcohol use and staying physically active.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Anthropic, according to a story in The Atlantic, was particularly concerned about the Pentagon using its technology for this kind of analysis and that its insistence on curtailing that use case was one of the major stumbling blocks to breaking its deadlock with the DOW.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Emily A. Margolis, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The closing of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic and attacks on energy sites across the Gulf are curtailing supplies and driving up the prices of key global commodities.
—Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
The consumer protection agencies most equipped to fight fraud, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, whose budget was nearly halved, have seen massive funding and staff cuts, curtailing their ability to enforce rules and actively target scammers.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In addition to thwarting complications, glues and netting can also abate bruising and swelling after facelift surgery, curtailing patients’ recovery.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
In total, over 20 key experts working on AXIS were removed from Goddard and from NASA entirely, significantly curtailing the team’s ability to execute.
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
Still, Republican lawmakers appear likely to vote down measures curtailing presidential war powers this week.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The most effective lifestyle adjustment is to limit consumption of red meat, followed by quitting tobacco use, managing your blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, curtailing alcohol use and staying physically active.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Anthropic, according to a story in The Atlantic, was particularly concerned about the Pentagon using its technology for this kind of analysis and that its insistence on curtailing that use case was one of the major stumbling blocks to breaking its deadlock with the DOW.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtailing
Verb
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Certain lifestyle habits can negatively affect your physical and mental health, shortening your potential lifespan.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
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Give your signature lob a fresh new update by shortening it in the back and letting the front pieces fall into a flattering angle.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One bill focuses on reducing construction costs by updating building codes.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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While these methods remain effective, excessive tilling can break down soil aggregates into smaller particles, reducing soil health and increasing erosion risk.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtailing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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