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
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Recent Examples of cuts back
Like that video where Bryan Cranston impersonates Art Garfunkel at Central Park, and his bouffant gets bigger every time the camera cuts back.
—
Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuts back
Verb
-
One of the highlights is the bread cart rolled out at the beginning of the meal, right after the waiter shaves off a roll of unctuous French butter from a huge golden mound.—
Penny E Schwartz,
Oc Register,
1 Mar. 2026
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After consultations with superiors, the jail superintendent has sent for a barber, who shaves the man gently, making sure to clear the fuzz from his earlobes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The urgency has grown as his career runway shortens.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The new plan shortens the time between missions and redraws the map of which launches will achieve various program milestones.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The footage inside the silicone throat was shot weeks prior; when the camera cuts to Howard, production used scopes of different lengths to indicate how far the tube may have gone down his throat.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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Usually when the economy is unsteady and the job market is weakening, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to give things a boost.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 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
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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
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The jersey also includes a jock tag depicting a dove carrying an olive branch, while the Pride’s familiar purple trims the collar, cuffs and player lettering.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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Like other series in a similar position, most notably Dick Wolf’s dramas, Grey’s Anatomy has gone through budget trims the last couple of seasons, including reducing the episodic guarantees of veteran cast members the last two years, with each appearing in 14 of the show’s 18 episodes each season.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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 12 Mar. 2026.
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