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
show current usage.
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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
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—
ABC News,
4 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.
—
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
The layoffs are the latest to hit Hollywood, which has been hard hit by the exodus of film and TV jobs to other states and countries, a cutback in the number of films being released and media consolidation.
—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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Zillow says that a pale pink bathroom could lose you up to $6,013, while a pale pink kitchen shaves an extra $4,201 off potential buyers' offers.
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The Supreme Court ruled that a Louisiana prisoner whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved off by prison guards cannot sue them under a federal law designed to protect the religious rights of prisoners.
Verb
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After dealing with injuries that shortened his strong 2025 campaign, Giants starter Tyler Mahle is starting an MLB game for the first time since late May after straining his left hamstring.
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The explicit intent was to shorten filings and eliminate generic text.
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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His partner handed me a tiny version of the leaf to clip to my hat.
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The comments were clipped almost immediately by the Jones team and played on multiple ads on television and social media, and became a regular talking point for Jones during various public appearances.
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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