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

Especially when used as solitary shrubs—not planted in a row to form a hedge—these plants don’t need to be cut back, says Croes. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Her hospital has been cutting back on staffing and embracing technology that makes work harder for nurses, says Lucio. — Alana Semuels, Time, 30 July 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

What this usually means is an aggressive reduction in expenses; in the case of a college athletic department, that would likely mean the potential elimination of entire programs, staff positions, and a cutback on various budgets. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026

The Writers Guild of America has ratified a four-year contract with the major studios, agreeing to significant cutbacks in the writers’ health plan. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026