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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cut back
Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Massive tariffs on Chinese goods have also been cut back amid negotiations.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 May 2025
Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
In late February, Project BLANK officials were on the verge of canceling the event amid growing rumbles that the new Trump administration was planning cutbacks at the National Endowment for the Arts.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Automakers, consumer and commercial electronics, household appliances, and medical devices were all forced to cut back production.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Massive tariffs on Chinese goods have also been cut back amid negotiations.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 May 2025
Noun
The finding was announced late Thursday by the Health and Human Services Department, marking the latest blow for an Ivy League school already shaken by federal cutbacks and sustained government pressure to crack down on student speech.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
In late February, Project BLANK officials were on the verge of canceling the event amid growing rumbles that the new Trump administration was planning cutbacks at the National Endowment for the Arts.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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That's a more modest bump to the specs of the previous S5 than the four-cylinder car, although one that still shaves a couple of tenths off the 0–60 time.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
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The accelerated pathway shaves time off the degree by eliminating some electives in the curriculum and the transition-to-residency coursework that’s usually offered in the fourth year.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Drake, a frequent collaborator, has so far scored 135 placements between Nos. 1 and 10 on the tally, which previously featured more than 10 spaces, but which was shortened several years ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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Boelter is a married father of five but often stayed at Carlson’s home in North Minneapolis to shorten his commute from Green Isle, Minn., to work.—
Jim Mustian,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
Noun
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When this happens, transmission operators will enact dispatch down or curtailment measures.—
Renny Vandewege,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
If moving up the start date will result in a smaller curtailment of services, implementing parking fees earlier is the better option.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Other options include raising payroll taxes, cutting benefits for future recipients, or a combination of all three.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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Perry’s 10th playoff goal this season cut the Panthers lead to 4-2.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 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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In contrast to the staffing reductions, the DOJ budget request outlines robust investments in key priorities, including nearly $11 billion to combat violent crime and gangs, $10 billion for drug enforcement, and over $3.6 billion for immigration enforcement and border security.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2025
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The reductions have been championed by the new leadership inside the Justice Department.—
June 17,
CBS News,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Every feather was clipped short; the bullet must have gone the length of the bird’s body cutting feathers and not once drawing blood!—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
12 June 2025
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First, trim your nails by clipping straight across to create short tips.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
11 June 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 Jun. 2025.
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