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.
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Recent Examples of cut back
Mara Gordon, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
In the Philippines, officials have switched to a four-day workweek to cut back on fuel consumption and reduce the government’s energy use by a fifth.
—Anton L. Delgado, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 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
Christian Dashiell, Parents, 23 Feb. 2026
The actual number lost is expected to be lower, but state law and union trigger notifications will cover all possible cutback scenarios.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Prevention is the best medicine Regular exercise and cutting back on alcohol can help reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
In the Philippines, officials have switched to a four-day workweek to cut back on fuel consumption and reduce the government’s energy use by a fifth.
—Anton L. Delgado, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 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
Von Tobel also highlights law, the restaurant industry, and construction as sectors that may see job cutbacks in the future but will still offer plenty of employment opportunities.
—Christian Dashiell, Parents, 23 Feb. 2026
The actual number lost is expected to be lower, but state law and union trigger notifications will cover all possible cutback scenarios.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
-
The Echo Spot shaves it down even further to a half-sphere and adds a handy little touch screen for visual information.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Earlier this month, Combs shaved six weeks off his sentence after entering a stint in rehab last year after the conviction.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The early transition reflects a broader reality across Summit County, where thin snowpack and warm temperatures have shortened the ski season and pushed some winter operations to close early.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The change significantly shortens the timeframe for filing claims — meaning passengers must act quickly after arriving at their destination.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The management plan outlines when and how those curtailments occur.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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The fear, Webster said, can make young athletes avoid sport-specific movements like cutting or jumping even after physical clearance.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Worries have gotten so high that traders have canceled nearly all their bets that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates this year, according to data from CME Group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Ohtani threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in an abbreviated start.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
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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In a bubble, too many properties on the market chasing too few buyers can touch off drastic price reductions, sending the overall market tumbling.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
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Neither Monroe nor Sterling Heights has independently evaluated whether the exemption has led to any measurable pollution reduction, nor has the state.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dash forward Makenzy Robbe drew an early penalty kick after a tackle from Legacy defender Jorelyn Carabalí clipped her.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Gomez parted her hair in the center and pulled the lengths up, twisted them, and clipped her hair with a medium-sized sheer white claw clip and wrapping some of the lengths over the top of the clip.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
20 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 2026.
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