as in ungenerosity
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1
as in shaving
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortening
to make less in extent or duration
cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
How to keep copperheads away from your home Owens said the best way to keep copperheads from hanging around is to clean up your yard, by cutting back tall grass and shrubs, and getting rid of anything that might attract rodents.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Winter winds can cause the shrub to rock at the roots and loosen, and cutting back the plant’s height prevents this.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Experts also say the benefits of India cutting back on Russian oil purchases outweigh the downsides.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Consider using a soil thermometer to determine when to start cutting back your plants.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
His crossing has often been a source of frustration, sometimes ballooning the ball too often, taking too long to put it into the area or cutting back on himself hesitantly.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
How to keep copperheads away from your home Owens said the best way to keep copperheads from hanging around is to clean up your yard, by cutting back tall grass and shrubs, and getting rid of anything that might attract rodents.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Winter winds can cause the shrub to rock at the roots and loosen, and cutting back the plant’s height prevents this.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Experts also say the benefits of India cutting back on Russian oil purchases outweigh the downsides.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Consider using a soil thermometer to determine when to start cutting back your plants.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
His crossing has often been a source of frustration, sometimes ballooning the ball too often, taking too long to put it into the area or cutting back on himself hesitantly.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting back
Noun
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What Warren fails to recognize is that the formula of progress that dictates these measures also dictates that they will someday be regarded as the ungenerosity of a primitive people.—
Greg Weiner,
National Review,
26 Sep. 2019
Verb
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And the only questions she's getting asked are about shaving her head.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Another unit in Tsuen Wan, a residential neighborhood in the New Territories, was sold at a loss of $142,000, shaving 40% off the original price, according to local news reports.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to Simpson, the staff first chose this timeline, rather than cutting service entirely or shortening the season more, due to feedback from residents and members of the city's Senior Commission.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Once opened, air exposure and cross-contamination from utensils can introduce moisture and bacteria, shortening their shelf life.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sennott and her costars speak with an irritatingly fake affect, are shallower than a puddle in the desert and prize selfishness, indolence and artifice.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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But Friendship also let viewers see some of those Robinson character quirks as evidence of selfishness, male ego, and real mental instability.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, debris from an underwater volcanic eruption severed the island's only subsea communication cable, cutting the island off from the rest of the world.—
Magdalena Petrova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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Richard’s motor ran high despite the lopsided score, cutting for two layups and also canning a 3-pointer to put up a quick seven points in the period.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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White, who has yet to take the floor this season due to a calf strain, was set to be re-evaluated on Monday after experiencing tightness during a five-on-five scrimmage just over two weeks ago.—
Evan Bell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Denver guard Jamal Murray (left calf tightness) and forward Cameron Johnson (right shoulder inflammation) are also dealing with injuries, but both are listed as probable against the Kings.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bibb took to her Instagram story before the annual event, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of Chris McMillan trimming her ends.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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Once the tree is installed, state Department of General Services crews will go to work trimming the tree over the next several days.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Walter’s first full season in charge was the end of the penny pinching that existed under prior owner Frank McCourt.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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