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
This ruling had a massive impact on low-income neighborhoods, which were suddenly subjected to a separate system of law, curtailing residents’ rights more sharply than their wealthier, whiter counterparts’.
—
Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Parallel talks resumed in Geneva aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear program and finalizing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but analysts held out little hope of lasting progress in either.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump campaigned heavily on curtailing regulations on the auto sector — especially in states such as Michigan, where the industry is a major source of jobs — amid Biden regulations that were expected to significantly push the market toward electric vehicles.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 Feb. 2026
Asking the closest thing the country has to a national theater to concentrate on its earnings endangers any art form with a small audience, while also curtailing ways that such an audience might grow.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Mobilizing Proxies Over the past two years, Israel has battered Iran’s regional network of proxies, significantly curtailing the regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding and, in some cases, long-term monitoring of people previously infected.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding and, in some cases, long-term monitoring of people previously infected.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Parallel talks resumed in Geneva aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear program and finalizing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but analysts held out little hope of lasting progress in either.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
In June 2023, the court held that race-conscious admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively curtailing the consideration of race in colleges nationwide.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump campaigned heavily on curtailing regulations on the auto sector — especially in states such as Michigan, where the industry is a major source of jobs — amid Biden regulations that were expected to significantly push the market toward electric vehicles.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 Feb. 2026
Asking the closest thing the country has to a national theater to concentrate on its earnings endangers any art form with a small audience, while also curtailing ways that such an audience might grow.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Mobilizing Proxies Over the past two years, Israel has battered Iran’s regional network of proxies, significantly curtailing the regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding and, in some cases, long-term monitoring of people previously infected.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
The federal government is curtailing such efforts just as researchers call for more funding and, in some cases, long-term monitoring of people previously infected.
—Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtailing
Verb
-
How about shortening the season?—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
There are still widespread suspicions that Netflix would honor the film’s slate existing theatrical commitments — before ultimately shortening the windows to the point where the theater business is threatened.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtailing. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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