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
Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
On social media in recent months, some Microsoft employees have become disheartened about the company's cutbacks, given its stature.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
Boulos is the most high-profile Haitian to be detained by the Trump administration, which in recent months has tried to cut back deportation protections and work permits for over a half million Haitians temporarily in the United States.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Adjective
Supply, according to the London stockbroking firm SP Angel, could be the more important factor with Government enforced production cutbacks said to be part of wider environmental clean-up and attempt to limit oversupply which caused the earlier crash.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
On social media in recent months, some Microsoft employees have become disheartened about the company's cutbacks, given its stature.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Noun
All of that, besides setting Trump off, put a September rate cut back on the table, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
Boulos is the most high-profile Haitian to be detained by the Trump administration, which in recent months has tried to cut back deportation protections and work permits for over a half million Haitians temporarily in the United States.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut-back
Verb
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Bypassing the extensive zoning and civil engineering foundational work required for new structures can shave off months, if not years, from the overall project timeline.—
Dr. Dick Bridy,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
There is no law against eating, reading, adjusting the radio or shaving your body while driving.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump cited Russia's continued drone and missile strikes on Ukraine when issuing his ultimatum to the Kremlin, which was initially set at 50 days but later shortened to only 10 days.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
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After some major studios clutched their pearls over AMC Theatres‘ decision to book more ads before each movie’s showtime, sources are telling us that the No. 1 circuit is working to shorten its preshow.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This will also necessarily result in curtailment of renewable production under some conditions, lowering the EROI of these renewable sources.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
21 May 2024
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Recent examples of months of inaction and delays are electric scooter regulation, sidewalk vendor curtailment and regulating vacation rentals.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 July 2025
Verb
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In addition to uncertain leadership, the BLS is one of many federal agencies that have been subjected to funding and workforce cuts under the Trump administration.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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The clubs were only half-listening, though, and having cut the top division from 22 teams to 20, decided to stop there.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Key Takeaways Small caps lead weekly gains, Russell 2000 jumps 3.5% Jobs report shows strength, but private sector lags behind Markets calm despite tariff uncertainty and Elon Musk drama Despite the abbreviated trading week, stocks posted decent gains.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Companies that operationalize these practices report 30–40% reductions in rework—savings that directly impact margins and competitiveness.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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After Connecticut increased its enforcement of its red flag law, research found it was associated with a 14% reduction in the state’s firearm suicide rate.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some of them clip on to an existing vent or use a suction cup mount to stay in place.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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The dog wears a special harness that allows unfettered movement, which is clipped to a bungee line attached to the human’s running waist belt.—
Ula Chrobak,
Outside,
9 Aug. 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-back. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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