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
Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
With the goal of compensating for potential cutbacks, water users in the Lower Basin states have created systems for voluntary water market transactions, the authors explained.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the rise of cannabis and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are shifting drinking habits, with some consumers cutting back on alcohol altogether.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Adjective
In March, cutbacks by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency had forced the visitor center and museum to close two days a week.
—Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
With the goal of compensating for potential cutbacks, water users in the Lower Basin states have created systems for voluntary water market transactions, the authors explained.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Noun
In addition to tax breaks, the legislation boosts funding for deportations while cutting back on healthcare and food assistance for low income people.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the rise of cannabis and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are shifting drinking habits, with some consumers cutting back on alcohol altogether.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut-back
Verb
-
Courtney's husband surprises their daughter after shaving his beard off.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
On those three days, just over a millisecond is expected to be shaved off the standard 24-hour day.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Linking Brazil's Atlantic coast with the Pacific Ocean in Peru could shorten shipping times to Asian markets by as much as 12 days compared with current routes passing through the Panama Canal.—
Theo Burman
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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For injuries, vibration therapy can shorten healing time.—
Kristin Auble,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
At that rate, the load curtailment during a curtailment event would last 1.7 hours.—
Greg Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Vallas’ insistence on elevating the payouts to survivors of police violence and the criminal justice reform measures aimed at the curtailment of civil rights abuses to a greater level of concern than the police abuses of power that our city is unfortunately known for is nothing short of shameful.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
During a June 10 hearing, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was disappointed with the administration’s budget request for the Navy for the 2026 fiscal year, which cut the spending to $21 billion from $37 billion in the prior year.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 July 2025
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To pay for these initiatives, the law cuts Medicaid and food stamps — programs relied upon by poor households with children — by more than $1 trillion.—
MORIAH BALINGIT,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Average premiums may rise 75% The average marketplace enrollee saved $705 in 2024 — a 44% reduction in premium costs — because of the enhanced tax credits, according to a November analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
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Noninvasive fat reduction procedures are down 40%, the data equivalent of a free fall.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Well the bracket that is attached to the doorframe had the screws clipped short and then pushed back into the frame.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
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An eastbound tractor-trailer then clipped the blade, Allman said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
2 July 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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On Friday, Burrows, R-Lubbock, made public his request to Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee for an abridged video from a school hallway camera to be released.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
11 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut-back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut-back. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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