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
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the couple’s charitable organization, has been faced with criticism recently for curtailing its other philanthropic work.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
The rebound in corporate profitability was largely helped by Beijing’s policies aimed at curtailing fierce price competition across industrial sectors, at a time when deflation in producer prices stretched into its third year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Spotify also cut 15 jobs in its podcast division, curtailing the headcount at The Ringer and Spotify Studios by about 5%.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
The shortage has also been made worse by an infestation of New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, just across the border in Mexico, significantly curtailing beef imports from that country.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Beijing began curtailing the export of rare earths to the United States at the height of the trade dispute in April.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
His administration also introduced stricter measures curtailing the participation of members who pursued gender-affirming medical treatments or changed their names, pronouns, or dress, a decision that drew criticism for marginalizing transgender members.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The United States thus retains an abiding interest in curtailing nuclear proliferation.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Even some right-wing politicians such as Ted Cruz — the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the body that has oversight over the FCC — warned against the government curtailing free speech in response to the Kimmel situation.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
The rebound in corporate profitability was largely helped by Beijing’s policies aimed at curtailing fierce price competition across industrial sectors, at a time when deflation in producer prices stretched into its third year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Spotify also cut 15 jobs in its podcast division, curtailing the headcount at The Ringer and Spotify Studios by about 5%.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
The shortage has also been made worse by an infestation of New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, just across the border in Mexico, significantly curtailing beef imports from that country.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Beijing began curtailing the export of rare earths to the United States at the height of the trade dispute in April.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
His administration also introduced stricter measures curtailing the participation of members who pursued gender-affirming medical treatments or changed their names, pronouns, or dress, a decision that drew criticism for marginalizing transgender members.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
The United States thus retains an abiding interest in curtailing nuclear proliferation.
—Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Even some right-wing politicians such as Ted Cruz — the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the body that has oversight over the FCC — warned against the government curtailing free speech in response to the Kimmel situation.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtailing
Verb
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Fox’s four-season pickup of the series earlier this year included shortening those seasons to 15 episodes each; the previous two had 18 episodes, and for most of The Simpsons’ life a season meant 20 or more.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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White cake is fluffy, light, and pale, made with egg whites and often shortening and clear vanilla for a bright white finish.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The initiative’s foundation addresses the problem of inconsistent and burdensome reporting by engaging the industry to define an optional (and non-exhaustive) questionnaire aimed at strengthening data quality and consistency while significantly reducing the administrative burden on suppliers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Curtailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtailing. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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