Synonyms of cut back

cut back 1 of 3

verb

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

• shave
• cut
• clip
• trim
• lop (off)
• mow
• dock
• bob
• crop
• pare
• prune
• snip
• shear
• poll
• nip
• whittle
• shorten
• pinch
• curtail
• stump
• manicure
• skive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen
• elongate

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

• shorten
• reduce
• dock
• curtail
• truncate
• cut down
• abbreviate
• abridge
• elide
• trim
• sum up
• decrease
• syncopate
• summarize
• abstract
• encapsulate
• compress
• recapitulate
• subtract (from)
• digest
• modify
• epitomize
• cut
• pare
• prune
• moderate
• contract
• diminish
• slash
• shrink
• taper
• constrict
• downsize
• lessen
• retrench
• abate
• dwindle
• lower
• deflate
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• prolong
• lengthen
• expand
• supplement
• elongate
• increase
• add
• enlarge
• maximize
• raise
• augment
• boost
• escalate
• amplify
• protract
• heighten
• blow up
• dilate
• pump up
• swell
• inflate
• balloon
• aggrandize
• distend

cut-back

2 of 3

adjective

as in curtailed

Related Words

• curtailed
• abbreviated
• abridged
• shortened
• syncopated
• condensed
• short
• sudden
• compact
• shortish
• brief
• little
• abrupt
• momentary
• transient
• fleeting
• transitory
• ephemeral
• epigrammatic
• fast
• short-term
• pithy
• summary
• short-range
• concise
• short-lived
• terse
• laconic
• crisp
• succinct
• impermanent
• compendious

Dissimilar Words

• long
• extended
• great
• lengthy
• far
• persistent
• prolonged
• endless
• interminable
• protracted
• everlasting
• permanent
• unending
• long-drawn-out
• enlarged
• long-lived
• long-range
• longish
• overlong
• long-term
• supplemented
• expanded

cutback

3 of 3

noun

as in curtailment

Related Words

• curtailment
• reduction
• cut
• shrinkage
• diminution
• decline
• loss
• decrement
• abatement
• drop
• diminishment
• discount
• rebate
• detraction
• fall
• giveback
• kickback
• deduction
• subtraction

Dissimilar Words

• addition
• increase
• gain
• accession
• rise
• enlargement
• increment
• boost
• accumulation
• raise
• supplement
• augmentation
• supplementation
• appendix
• accrual
• accretion
• addendum

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cut back

Verb

Air advocates used this year's Clean Air Day to encourage more people to cut back on driving and help clear Sacramento's skies. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

That would allow the market to self-correct by cutting back on spending. — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Back-to-back Javonte Williams runs got the offense to the 20-yard line, including the second one going for 15 yards after a cut-back to the left side. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026

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

Noun

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airforwarders Association (AfA) both sent letters to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin describing the far-reaching consequences of such a cutback, including supply chain snafus, diminished cargo capacity and lost revenues. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 June 2026

The entertainment industry, one of the city’s defining economic engines, has slowed due to production cutbacks and broader changes in Hollywood. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 May 2026