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
Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Shortages of feedstocks for plastics have forced Asian countries to cut back on production or shut down factories altogether.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Macy Martin provided the assist on a cutback pass.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Ailing Spirit Airlines had been on a roller-coast ride for a couple of years, adding flights and cutting back, sometimes at the same time.
—Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Shortages of feedstocks for plastics have forced Asian countries to cut back on production or shut down factories altogether.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Adjective
In September 2023, under De Zerbi, Brighton’s opening goal again came from a cut-back, this time the right flank.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Solans’ cutback sent KC’s Jansen Miller sliding the wrong way, making for an easy finish that doubled the gap in the 55th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Macy Martin provided the assist on a cutback pass.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
-
Reiner, with his head shaved and a scruffy goatee, wore a yellow prison top with blue prison pants.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Based on the physical locations of Burlington’s stores and vendors near the distribution center, the company expects to shave some freight costs relative to sales, said Kristin Wolfe, chief financial officer of Burlington Stores, during an earnings call on March 5.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The goal is not to avoid the valley but to shorten the stay.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While shortening attention spans may be to blame for the shift in literature, Huehls argues that some writers are intentionally engaging with it.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In exchange for the curtailment of some freedoms, the people submit to an authority, thereby gaining protection and security.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The disruption reflects a broader curtailment of Holy Week traditions.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, Bass has proposed cutting entirely the Animal Services Department’s annual budget for food, which was $200,000 last year, and also slashing the medical supplies budget to $49,000, from $388,000 last year.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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But now that the post-pandemic boom has well and truly gone bust, just showing up with a great looking timepiece isn’t going to cut it.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Liam Merrigan fired an abbreviated no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and a walk as Hingham bested Marshfield 5-0 in five innings.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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But in this case, that doesn’t matter, because after such an abbreviated Herro season, the Heat simply have to wait to see greater durability, meaning deferring the contract decision.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This represents a 500°C, or 900°F, reduction compared to existing methods.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
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Most states have some sort of incentive in place to benefit EV buyers, including tax credits or rebates, or utility rate reductions, according to a 2023 report from the National Conference of State Legislators, a bipartisan nonprofit group for state legislators and their staff.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Rain pushes the weeds higher, then shelters them on turf too soft for the machines meant to clip them.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Enjoy the offseason and try not to watch that clip too many times this summer.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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
-
For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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