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

Surveys also show that affordability concerns are prompting Americans to cut back on restaurant spending. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Worried about the potential fine — which, Dantona noted, the city worker had been polite about explaining — the homeowner backed down and asked Brodeur to cut back the grass. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 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 cutbacks are going far beyond a friendly prod to boost NATO defense spending. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

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