1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
a frigid day with a cutting wind that made it seem even colder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the cutting side of the sword blade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
her cutting comments serve only one purpose: to make someone cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in slicing
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
I cut my hand on a piece of broken glass
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in skipping
to fail to attend
a warning that she had been cutting too many classes without valid excuses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in isolating
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the snobbish lady cut anyone who didn't meet her standards of wealth and social standing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in diluting
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
the fruit juice was so cut with water that it was barely a fruit-flavored drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in veering
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
cut towards the goal, eluding a defender
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in intersecting
to divide by passing through or across
a long mountain range virtually cuts that country in half
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in analyzing
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
whichever way you cut it, we won't be seeing any profits from the business for at least three years
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 cutting
Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
There were cancellations and delays, with the Department of Transportation cutting flights due to safety concerns.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The action is a cost-cutting measure, many fans are convinced.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but this year has relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
This is not about cutting corners or giving the environment short shrift.
—Carlina Rivera, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Prepping apples for these dishes generally involves coring and cutting them without using the seeds.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
The versatile seniors were dynamic on both sides of the floor, with their unrelenting passing and cutting wreaking havoc against Winchester.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
Although the Jayhawks led by as many as 21 points, BYU stayed within striking distance in the second half, cutting the lead to six as the clock ticked under two minutes to go.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
There were cancellations and delays, with the Department of Transportation cutting flights due to safety concerns.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The action is a cost-cutting measure, many fans are convinced.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but this year has relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
This is not about cutting corners or giving the environment short shrift.
—Carlina Rivera, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Prepping apples for these dishes generally involves coring and cutting them without using the seeds.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
The versatile seniors were dynamic on both sides of the floor, with their unrelenting passing and cutting wreaking havoc against Winchester.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting
Adjective
-
The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Libby has a good ear for corporate doublespeak and probably another satirical play in him about whatever goes on at this company’s Taco Tuesday, but Data sticks to a staunchly instructive spirit.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The year got underway with Playboy Manbaby releasing their first album since 2018, a satirical takedown of life as know it in 2026.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The yuan remains a small slice of international reserves, though, and analysts say capital account liberalization is critical to achieving Beijing’s goal.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Break up any big chunks of sugar and lay the bread slice on top, then seal it in an airtight container for about a day.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Traoré did flip the tone with his aggression, slicing to the rim for two straight baskets, but Denver’s shooting kept piling up.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These include sashimi-bōchō (precise, single-stroke slicing techniques used to preserve the texture and appearance of the fish) and shiojime, or salt curing, which uses salt to draw out moisture, concentrate flavor, and improve the texture of the fish.—
Annie Daly,
SELF,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Everybody’s scrolling and everybody’s skipping, but to actually sit down, put a record on and consume it, that’s a very romantic idea.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Rauw, a 33-year-old San Jaun romantic, had a breakthrough after a breakup, skipping coolly across genres and balancing electronic and acoustic arrangements following a split with Rosalia; even in polar vortex hell, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta goes over like a glass of concentrated essence of summer.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those measures included increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures and isolating passengers and crew members who reported symptoms.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.—
Evan Howell,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Keep lawns breathable by removing leaves, mowing before winter, and avoiding foot traffic or snow piles.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Work is seasonal by nature — mowing jobs in summer, snow removal in winter.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
