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
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Recent Examples of cut back
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
After the first frost of fall, cut back the leggiest, woodiest stems by half.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 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
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Last month, the government reported that the U.S. gained 64,000 jobs in November but lost 105,000 in October as federal workers departed after cutbacks by the Trump administration.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Kraft Heinz, like all big food companies, is also grappling with inflation-weary buyers cutting back spending or switching to generic labels as well as the rise of GLP-1 drugs hurting demand for snack food.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
After the first frost of fall, cut back the leggiest, woodiest stems by half.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 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
Those cutbacks, coupled with new Trump administration tariffs that have raised prices on various consumer goods, have left about 40% of households here unable to support a basic survival budget, said Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of the United Way of Connecticut.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Last month, the government reported that the U.S. gained 64,000 jobs in November but lost 105,000 in October as federal workers departed after cutbacks by the Trump administration.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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And yet, the southpaw found a way to pitch through the pain in his elbow, which underwent offseason surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2026
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In his 1939 version, William Wyler shaves away huge chunks of the story.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Naismith Trophy will narrow down 10 semifinalists on March 13, then shorten the list to four finalists on March 25.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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The first of those playoff teams was fortunate that the season was shortened to 60 games, as its starting pitching was ankle-deep shallow.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its resurgence has raised concerns among minorities and women workers who fear a potential curtailment of women’s rights if conservative elements gain influence.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
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Many types of utopias have been articulated in late-modern culture, each one a distillation of some community’s desire for relief from the strictures and curtailments of life’s possibilities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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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The city’s community housing services division saw its budget slashed to $26 million ahead of the current fiscal year, a 41% reduction.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
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The analyst is positive about ConocoPhillips achieving its 2029 free cash flow target, supported by its four major growth projects (NFE, North Field South, Port Arthur, and Willow) and $1 billion in cost reductions and margin enhancements.—
,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As tariffs provoke backlash and global trade uncertainty, markets for Texas exports have been curtailed, clipping the wings of our economy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Mulching grass clipping and leaves through your mower will return organic matter to your lawn.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 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
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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 22 Feb. 2026.
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