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
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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
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Recent Examples of cuts back
This recipe cuts back on both without sacrificing flavor.
—
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuts back
Verb
-
Pro gaming mouse shaves off 24%, packing ultra-light speed and switches that keep up with endless gaming sessions without slowing you down.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Those varying responses often have an offsetting effect that shaves off the most extreme edges of the group’s volatility.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Polysulfides dissolve and migrate, which degrades battery performance and shortens its lifespan.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
That opens capacity, shortens timelines and changes how teams spend their time.—
Robbie Morrison,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The episode cuts to black before it is revealed who or what is Paddy's target, but in real life, Arthur lived for decades longer, dying in 1915, per TIME.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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When play crossed Round Swamp Road, the roadway that cuts between Bethpage Black and separates the 14th and 15th holes, this tournament flew into the stratosphere.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
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For messing up, Martha clips Gabriel’s wings, forcing him to live life as a human, with a new casual wardrobe to match and a taste for fast food.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Skip the pricey groomer visits and messy bathroom trims with this Labor Day deal.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
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The move trims the quarterback room down to four players, including Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cuts back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuts%20back. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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