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 McDonnell, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Winter winds can cause the shrub to rock at the roots and loosen, and cutting back the plant’s height prevents this.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
If your shrub has outgrown its space, do a hard cutback during the winter months.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
In a lengthy essay today, Gates argues that some climate aid funding is being misspent on projects that try to cut back on emissions but make no tangible improvement in peoples’ health or livelihoods.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Winter winds can cause the shrub to rock at the roots and loosen, and cutting back the plant’s height prevents this.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Bills running back James Cook is one of the best cutback players in the league, a danger because of his excellent vision, speed and power.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
If your shrub has outgrown its space, do a hard cutback during the winter months.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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Another unit in Tsuen Wan, a residential neighborhood in the New Territories, was sold at a loss of $142,000, shaving 40% off the original price, according to local news reports.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Come to see Stone get her head shaved, stay for big laughs, darkly incisive commentary, and incredible performances from Stone, Plemons, and newcomer Aidan Delbis in this absurdist black comedy.—
EW Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The outlet added that cool nights, sunny days and moderate rainfall are the makings of a nice fall foliage season, while heavy rain, strong winds, or early frost can shorten the season.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Telomeres naturally shorten as people age, but Scott’s exceeded the typical rate.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What’s left of it was led, at least for a while, by a 29-year-old White House appointee who helped craft Project 2025, the right-wing blueprint that broadly calls for the curtailment of civil rights enforcement.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
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In past shutdowns, that has led to the closures of hundreds of national parks and museums, the curtailment of veterans' services, the suspension of health inspections, the postponement of immigration hearings and a slew of other impacts.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The veteran coach believes the solution to the problem is to cut some games off the 82-game schedule, a view shared by Cleveland Cavaliers coach (and former Kerr assistant) Kenny Atkinson, who recently advocated for a 72-game season.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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The 10-year Treasury yield was little changed Friday following this week’s interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve and the central bank’s more hawkish tone on future policy.—
Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Ohtani threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in an abbreviated start.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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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
Noun
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Waymo touts its safety record, citing company research saying that compared to a human driver, Waymo vehicles reported a 91% reduction in serious injury crashes, 79% fewer airbag deployments and 80% fewer injury-causing collisions.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use will be necessary to curb global heating, with the burning of coal, oil and gas identified as the chief driver of the climate crisis.—
Sam Meredith,Dan Murphy,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gausman allowed a solo home run to Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and two batters later, he got clipped by third baseman Max Muncy.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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There’s no need to clip in while riding technical terrain with a flat shoe that performs this well.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
24 Oct. 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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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 8 Nov. 2025.
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