as in shortening
to make less in extent or duration
curtailed the school day because of the stormy weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of curtailing
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
However, threats risk curtailing that openness.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2026
This suggests bipartisan interest in ensuring lawful operations rather than curtailing enforcement capacity.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Pahlavi monarchy marked a rupture, banning the Azerbaijani language and curtailing local autonomy.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2026
Banks are making the argument that such a plan would most hurt poor people, at a time of economic concern, by curtailing or eliminating credit lines, driving them to high-cost alternatives like payday loans or pawnshops.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
In virtually all cases outside of Detroit, newspapers concluded their partnerships with mergers, one partner shuttering its operations or the smaller paper dramatically curtailing operations.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
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
However, threats risk curtailing that openness.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2026
This suggests bipartisan interest in ensuring lawful operations rather than curtailing enforcement capacity.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Pahlavi monarchy marked a rupture, banning the Azerbaijani language and curtailing local autonomy.
—Shukriya Bradost, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2026
Banks are making the argument that such a plan would most hurt poor people, at a time of economic concern, by curtailing or eliminating credit lines, driving them to high-cost alternatives like payday loans or pawnshops.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
In virtually all cases outside of Detroit, newspapers concluded their partnerships with mergers, one partner shuttering its operations or the smaller paper dramatically curtailing operations.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtailing
Verb
-
Samuel Helenius, Andrei Kuzmenko and Corey Perry (empty net) scored for the Kings (22-16-3), who won their third straight game after Monday’s game in Columbus was postponed due to Sunday’s blizzard, shortening their trip from six to five games.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Beat shortening with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Supporters of the idea say a combined utility would be able to cut costs by reducing the number of employees.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The proposal also establishes more predictable timelines for preparing environmental impact statements, reducing delays and providing greater certainty for both developers and financing partners.—
Carlina Rivera,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Curtailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtailing. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
