cutting 1 of 3

Definition of cuttingnext
1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin a frigid day with a cutting wind that made it seem even colder

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2
3

cutting

2 of 3

noun

as in slice
a piece that has been separated from the whole by cutting a bag full of grass cuttings

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cutting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of cut
1
2
as in skipping
to fail to attend a warning that she had been cutting too many classes without valid excuses

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3
4
as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument when you cut the pad, make it a little smaller than the carpet

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5
as in mowing
to shorten the standing leafy plant cover of you need to cut the lawn very soon—before it becomes a jungle

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6
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8
as in intersecting
to divide by passing through or across a long mountain range virtually cuts that country in half

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9

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 cutting
Verb
This is an unsustainable path if the state hopes to avoid cutting health, education and other priorities. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 Another option is to remove some of the pups, by cutting under the plants, and gathering the leaves with roots. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 Still, some municipalities across the country have moved toward cutting Flock contracts in response to concerns and criticism from residents, NPR reported. Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026 That led to a Stars power play after just cutting the deficit to 3-2, which was at least negated when Johnston took an interference penalty on Jared Spurgeon. Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Saudi Arabia’s critical pipeline to the Red Sea has suffered an attack from Iran, cutting throughput by 700,000 barrels per day. Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026 Between the jealousy, paranoia, and a shocking cake-cutting scene that'd give any wedding planner a lifetime of nightmares, The Girlfriend puts a soapy, sexy, scary spin on well-trodden monster-in-law territory. Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026 That the Illini couldn’t complete their comeback attempt despite cutting it to four in the final minutes was dismaying. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony a couple of hours before the game, gigantic scissors slicing a pink ribbon. Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting
Adjective
  • Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.
    Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And that’s a risk that The Audacity is courting in a premiere that doesn’t care yet about turning its satirical targets into antiheroes, which is what Glatzer was doing on Better Call Saul and Succession.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Executive produced by Succession alum Jonathan Glatzer, who is also showrunner, the darkly satirical drama stars Billy Magnussen and Sarah Goldberg.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Throw the pieces into a zip-top bag along with lemon (juice and slices), olive oil, a minced shallot, some Parmesan, and salt and pepper.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Chop remaining 2 slices of bacon and cook in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 10 minutes.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As she was seen using the cupping-style tools, Frankel appeared to bleed after slicing her face with the device.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Upstairs, Polish artist and designer Zofia Sobolewska Ursic is slicing white onyx into ribbons alongside the workshop’s master technicians.
    Sarah Medford, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The draw isn’t merely about skipping the commute.
    Lucy Jones April 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
  • For comets, sublimation of ices – when solid ice turns directly into gas, skipping the liquid phase – is the primary culprit.
    Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Their experience there can be isolating, since they must be housed separately from adult women — and programming is limited.
    Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip did reunite during the COVID-19 pandemic, isolating together.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.
    Wire TBD, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Never cut more than one-third of the grass height when mowing.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Some of these grasses also grow relatively slowly compared to cool-season grass, which can mean mowing less frequently.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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