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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cut back
Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
The surge in pink slips started in 2023, when companies that had gone on hiring sprees during the COVID-19 pandemic began to cut back.
—Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 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
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Solans’ cutback sent KC’s Jansen Miller sliding the wrong way, making for an easy finish that doubled the gap in the 55th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Small morsels are safe from the jaws of a traditional grill cutting back on waste and flare ups.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
The surge in pink slips started in 2023, when companies that had gone on hiring sprees during the COVID-19 pandemic began to cut back.
—Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 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
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Solans’ cutback sent KC’s Jansen Miller sliding the wrong way, making for an easy finish that doubled the gap in the 55th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Darby Allin tried his hardest to shave MJF’s head.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
-
Darby Allin Fans were very thirsty to see MJF have his head shaved bald.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Jamen said Wscripted was hoping to shorten the lead times for development and financing with the new system.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
-
The process of shrinking was different among the groups, with some dinosaurs reducing the size of the fingers first, while others prioritized shortening the forearm.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Sideris said Duke was the first utility to require such curtailments from hyperscalers to get them onto the grid more quickly.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
India is already rationing LNG supplies, according to a note S&P Global Energy shared with CNBC, which said power generation, refining, and petrochemicals are lower-priority sectors and therefore more exposed to curtailments.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Based on 2026 opening day figures, eight teams would have to cut payroll to get under the cap.—
Ronald Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tessa Francis fired an abbreviated no-hitter with eight strikeouts, while Ashley Mortensen went 3-for-4 as Marblehead routed Winthrop 12-0 in five innings in the Northeastern Conference.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
-
But in this case, that doesn’t matter, because after such an abbreviated Herro season, the Heat simply have to wait to see greater durability, meaning deferring the contract decision.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The reason for the decline is largely attributable to a dramatic reduction in pregnancies among teens and young women — in part due to more accessible contraception — coupled with economic instability from the Great Recession, Marquez said.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Today, global trade governance is increasingly shaped by sustainability requirements, supply chain traceability, carbon reduction targets, compliance standards and digital transparency.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
It’s made from 100 percent cotton and has a front pocket that’s optimal for clipping on your work badge.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Use bypass pruners to clip away spent blooms.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
-
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 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
