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
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
7
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
Trading firms began using low-latency (shorter delay) technology and co-locating servers inside exchange data centers, cutting trade execution times to milliseconds and making speed itself a competitive advantage. Brian Lund, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 Jet fuel costs have skyrocketed, too, leading airlines to hike airfare and baggage fees while cutting less profitable flights. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 The Wednesday event included a facility tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony with bank leadership and local government officials. Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 Oxford Industries — The maker of Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer sank 17% after cutting its full-year guidance. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 Other than Markel Bell being a nice story, how does the depth look on our offensive line after cutting Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams? Zach Berman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Also, cutting and shaping it is hard because pure lithium is a soft metal. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 When the pandemic nearly ended his hair-cutting career, Hector Trinidad didn’t give up. Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The Bobcats stayed within striking distance as Donart found Johnson for another touchdown, cutting the deficit to 14-12. Riley Ledesma, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Danish filmmaker May el-Toukhy, one of the two female directors competing for the Golden Lion this year, in Venice with a sharp, searing analysis of the women thrown to the wolves in the aftermath of World War II.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The fruits are enjoyed by birds, and deer tend to avoid this shrub, most likely due to the sharp spines.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • According to The Jerusalem Post, Malkovich is scheduled to return to Tel Aviv for the satirical theatrical-musical production on April 13 at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Critics have long speculated that his depiction was satirical—that the first utopian literary work was, at least in part, dystopian.
    Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • When taking out of the refrigerator to reheat one or two slices, a skillet is a popular way to revive leftover pizza.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Following a demoralising late collapse against Bristol City which left Burnley bottom of the Championship and without a win from their opening five games, the signing of Vardy is a welcome slice of positivity for supporters.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As up-tempo offenses began slicing through defenses on their way to championships, Kiffin began adapting, first as Nick Saban’s Alabama offensive coordinator and later as a head coach.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Using bagged coleslaw mix will cut down on slicing time—an invaluable gift on my busiest mornings.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • It was announced at IFA alongside the Osmo 360 II action camera, which is also skipping the US.
    Dominic Preston, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Those skipping the event cite plans in their districts and other obligations.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The individual was isolating, and officials were reaching out to anyone who had been exposed, the county health department said.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Existing defenses attempt to stop such attacks by wiping or isolating the processor’s prediction machinery before predictions are used.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The 23-year-old and his Serbia team-mates won the Davis Cup for the first time in December 2010, and fulfilled a promise by shaving their heads in celebration.
    Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Go bananas with shaving cream Have your kids hop into a dry bathtub with their swimsuit on.
    Michelle Crouch, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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