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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in curtailment
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cut back
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
It is bordered by a playground, tended by a man who cuts back the grass borders with a scythe.
—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
The Writers Guild of America has ratified a four-year contract with the major studios, agreeing to significant cutbacks in the writers’ health plan.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
And under state law, in times of scarcity, most of the others must cut back to protect COID’s share of the river.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
It is bordered by a playground, tended by a man who cuts back the grass borders with a scythe.
—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Adjective
The Vikings want to base out of the wide zone, where offensive linemen fire off the ball in tandem and running backs find clear cut-back lanes.
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Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
What this usually means is an aggressive reduction in expenses; in the case of a college athletic department, that would likely mean the potential elimination of entire programs, staff positions, and a cutback on various budgets.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
The Writers Guild of America has ratified a four-year contract with the major studios, agreeing to significant cutbacks in the writers’ health plan.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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The group — which Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Meta , Tesla and Amazon — shaved off roughly $2 trillion in market cap, as investors are starting to reassess the investing case for these once unbeatable mega-caps.
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Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities.
Verb
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Late 19th and Early 20th Century Most Western states capitalized on the barriers imposed on divorce and lessened their residency requirements to shorten the length of time one had to reside in the state to be able to file for divorce.
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The heat wave has also forced the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill to shorten its hours on July Fourth and adjust its match schedule starting Tuesday through Friday.
Adjective
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In an abbreviated roadshow, SpaceX priced its IPO at $135 and told investors to take it or leave it.
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In recent years, shorts have been getting smaller, shorter, more abbreviated.
Noun
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Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.
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In exchange for the curtailment of some freedoms, the people submit to an authority, thereby gaining protection and security.
Verb
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Kirkmeyer has campaigned on affordability and safety issues, Bottoms is pushing for a redo of the state's education system among other things and Marx wants to cut regulations and lower the cost of living.
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Terrell Carstens, a 25-year resident of Brookhaven, said she is frustrated the city made little effort to find places to cut costs instead of raising the rate.
Adjective
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That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.
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For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.
Noun
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That includes those already receiving coverage of a GLP-1 from their Part D plan for a use already covered by Medicare, such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk reduction or sleep apnea.
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Limit Constipating Foods Consuming a low-fiber diet can lead to chronic constipation, with a reduction in poop frequency and size.
Verb
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At the low end, a dog washing station is a hose, a spray nozzle and somewhere to clip the leash.
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His pass to Luis Romo was perhaps a little short but the midfielder kept his cool, finding Roberto Alvarado, who clipped a gorgeous, inviting pass over the top.
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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