1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
we need to cut back the bushes a bit so that the house number is visible from the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shorten
to make less in extent or duration
cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in curtailed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in curtailment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cut back
Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
In other cases, cut back on watering your indoor plants and install proper drainage in moisture-prone areas like the basement or crawlspace.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Federal officials also are eyeing cutbacks in assistance for K-12 education, public colleges and universities, and other health care programs that could cost the state and its municipalities hundreds of millions in additional yearly assistance.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Sherman said 1,800 units would be a realistic goal assuming the Republicans do not act on proposals to cut back two of the key pillars of the financing model — veteran rental subsidies and tax credits.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
In other cases, cut back on watering your indoor plants and install proper drainage in moisture-prone areas like the basement or crawlspace.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Noun
Government jobs were up, despite the federal cutbacks.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Federal officials also are eyeing cutbacks in assistance for K-12 education, public colleges and universities, and other health care programs that could cost the state and its municipalities hundreds of millions in additional yearly assistance.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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It’s shaved into unruly ribbons, and half the contents spill from the sandwich.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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Wall Street's rebound came after the U.S. and China said in a joint statement earlier Monday that the U.S. will shave tariffs on Chinese goods down to 30 percent from as high as 145 percent.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Together, the two companies shorten supply lines, increase transparency, and provide domestic manufacturers with reliable, high-quality inputs.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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Warm temperatures speed up the blooming, shortening the season.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Trump had repeatedly hinted that a future peace deal would include Ukrainian territorial and political concessions and be twinned with the curtailment of U.S. aid to Kyiv.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
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In March, grid operators in California shut down 80 gigawatt-hours of the state’s renewable power because the grid couldn’t handle the afternoon solar surge; without more capacity to store power, even larger curtailments will occur.—
David G. Victor,
Foreign Affairs,
13 June 2017
Verb
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The president also floated cutting Chinese tariffs to 80%.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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However, with the fight at stake and Aldo unable to safely cut any more weight, a deal was struck between Aldo, the UFC, and Zahabi to fight at featherweight with a 145-pound limit.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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But with 10 games left in the season, this new chapter has a chance to be more abbreviated than its potential.—
Danny Emerman,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The bill earmarks a reduction of federal matching funds for Medicaid expansion populations, decreasing the current 90 percent federal contribution to the standard range of 50 to 83 percent.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Beijing will meet the U.S. reductions, dropping tariffs on U.S. goods to 10%.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The Japanese driver clipped the kerb and lost control of the rear of the RB21.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
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The funny thing about cord cutters is that their numbers are growing — and the size of this group is being fueled, obviously, by people clipping their ties to cable.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
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On Friday, Burrows, R-Lubbock, made public his request to Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee for an abridged video from a school hallway camera to be released.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
11 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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