1
as in shaves
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 shortens
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
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 cuts back
In quasi-noir mode, the action cuts back repeatedly to Elliot in rough shape in a police interrogation room, being questioned by two detectives (Margaret Cho and Johnny Knoxville, relishing the chance to shove aside their anticonventional reputations and play stern authority figures).
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
What’s more, Young and others say that as the federal government cuts back on health spending, getting access for even basic health services – such as having a child in a hospital – might force patients to travel.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
The Qin Plus remains one of BYD’s best-selling models, and the move follows a series of similar discounts earlier in September for the Tang DM-i, Seal 07 DM-i, and Qin L EV, as well as a broader round of price cuts back in May.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Plus, crafting together can even be a fun way to celebrate Halloween that doesn't involve trick-or-treating and cuts back on candy.
—Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
This pantry organizer is also surprisingly compact, fits easily into tight spaces, and even cuts back on your plastic use in the kitchen.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Then, the camera cuts back to the man who's seen smiling and tipping his hat to a roaring crowd around him after the sweet gesture.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
This recipe cuts back on both without sacrificing flavor.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
What’s more, Young and others say that as the federal government cuts back on health spending, getting access for even basic health services – such as having a child in a hospital – might force patients to travel.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
The Qin Plus remains one of BYD’s best-selling models, and the move follows a series of similar discounts earlier in September for the Tang DM-i, Seal 07 DM-i, and Qin L EV, as well as a broader round of price cuts back in May.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Plus, crafting together can even be a fun way to celebrate Halloween that doesn't involve trick-or-treating and cuts back on candy.
—Ellen Sturm Niz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
This pantry organizer is also surprisingly compact, fits easily into tight spaces, and even cuts back on your plastic use in the kitchen.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Then, the camera cuts back to the man who's seen smiling and tipping his hat to a roaring crowd around him after the sweet gesture.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
This recipe cuts back on both without sacrificing flavor.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuts back
Verb
-
In his 1939 version, William Wyler shaves away huge chunks of the story.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Witness as Guy Fieri shaves his iconic goatee and trades his frosty spikes for a sensible combover.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This kind of careful pruning is superior to topping, which results in weak and spindly growth and shortens a tree's lifespan.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The landmark Harvard Six Cities Study, which tracked the health of thousands of Americans from the 1970s through the 1990s, proved unambiguously that air pollution shortens lives.—
Michelle A. Williams,
STAT,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An entire film of buzzy, chaotic music suddenly cuts away so that these sounds can ring out clearly across the cosmos.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Off-site construction reliably cuts construction timelines by 10% to 30%, according to an analysis by the Terner Center.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The holder clips right to your pack or waders and keeps everything in a neat, easy-to-dispense stack.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The carry handles each have a magnetic piece that then clips together to form a single bar to grasp.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That figure is likely to keep sliding, particularly if the Fed trims rates later this year.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some popular models that may require midgrade plus fuel include some Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee trims.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When a user uploads a photo, the algorithm locates the bee, crops the image and compares it to our database.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cuts back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuts%20back. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
