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
Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
Julia Ranney, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Are Department of Government Efficiency cutbacks in federal government employment, as well as among contractors and grantees, visible yet?
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Shea called on others in the international community to increase support for the response to Haiti's rapidly deteriorating situation, which is triggering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the hemisphere at a moment when Washington is cutting back on foreign assistance.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Half their goals came from there, with a lethal mix of aerial deliveries and slick cutbacks.
—Julia Ranney, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Are Department of Government Efficiency cutbacks in federal government employment, as well as among contractors and grantees, visible yet?
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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In a campus webinar Wednesday, Duke Executive Vice President Daniel Ennis and Antwan Lofton, its VP for human resources, summarized some of the actions Duke has taken or will be introducing in the coming weeks to shave costs.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Legislators may also take up legislation this year to shave off some of the tax revenue the state currently collects from property insurers and redirect it toward a grant program for fire-resistant roofs and vegetation management work.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Why the wrong spot can shorten the shelf life of your eggs.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
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In the 2000s, several countries shortened the tenure of their central banks’ governors to four or five years.—
Ana Carolina Garriga,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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According to the National Grid ESO, curtailment of wind power alone cost British consumers over £800 million in 2023, as renewable generators were paid to shut down during periods of oversupply, with the tab being picked up by households.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With the new order, Trump is threatening to cut federal funds to cities and states his Administration decides are blocking his mass deportation effort.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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The state says the rule is crucial to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and cutting smog-forming pollutants.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 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 potential reduction in Medicaid funding raises concerns about the ability to meet the healthcare and educational needs of vulnerable populations.—
John D. Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2025
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Furthermore, lower price realization also contributed to the reduction in the company’s sales.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In recent national headlines were a fatal crash of a tour helicopter in New York, a small plane that crashed in Florida and two commercial jets that clipped wings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The women, with a better weight-to-strength ratio, can just clip on that pole like a pair of koalas and sit up there all day.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 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 4 May. 2025.
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