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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ungenerosity
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Consumers in households with incomes under $100 thousand are cutting back.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Gentle thinning of a magnolia will remove a few flowers, while cutting back all the branches to reduce its size can remove many of the flower buds, resulting in fewer flowers next spring.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Other plants with small flowers can be deadheaded by simply cutting back the whole plant to encourage regrowth.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
Experts say no amount of alcohol is safe, but even cutting back could make a big difference for your health.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Aug. 2025
What that means specifically is cutting back on add-ons like extra packaging or free batteries, which lowers costs but then has the downside of reducing the shelf appeal of the product.
—Alex Vuocolo, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
This year has seen retailers like Big Lots, Joann Fabrics, Kohl's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Party City cutting back their physical footprint or going under altogether.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
So ranchers have been sending their animals to the slaughterhouse earlier, cutting back herds even as Americans eat more beef.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
Start by cutting back the top growth to just a couple of inches to expose the crown of the plant.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Consumers in households with incomes under $100 thousand are cutting back.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Gentle thinning of a magnolia will remove a few flowers, while cutting back all the branches to reduce its size can remove many of the flower buds, resulting in fewer flowers next spring.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Other plants with small flowers can be deadheaded by simply cutting back the whole plant to encourage regrowth.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2025
Experts say no amount of alcohol is safe, but even cutting back could make a big difference for your health.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Aug. 2025
What that means specifically is cutting back on add-ons like extra packaging or free batteries, which lowers costs but then has the downside of reducing the shelf appeal of the product.
—Alex Vuocolo, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
This year has seen retailers like Big Lots, Joann Fabrics, Kohl's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Party City cutting back their physical footprint or going under altogether.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
So ranchers have been sending their animals to the slaughterhouse earlier, cutting back herds even as Americans eat more beef.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting back
Verb
-
At the same time, the Congressional Budget Office sees tariffs shaving trillions of dollars off the deficit.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
When a trompo taco is ordered, a cook brandishes a knife of ferocious sharpness, shaving a thin, broad piece large enough to overhang the corn tortilla it’s laid upon.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Railroad Commission approved the permit without shortening its duration.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
-
But warming is disrupting this balance, reducing snowfall, shortening the precipitation season, and in some cases shifting it from snow to rain.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Barcelona’s decision was not a sporting one but based on cutting wages.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
There’s people cutting sandwiches, putting the sandwiches right to the camera, squeezing the juices.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Belly snaps at Taylor for her TikTok therapy and her selfishness, at which point Steven bursts in to defend Taylor and announce that Jere’s back.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
And now, his selfishness might cost their family that clan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The junior launched himself through a pile for a two-yard touchdown rush, trimming the deficit to 35-34.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
-
With revisions earlier this year mostly trimming prior readings, more downward revisions could be due.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Valente Bellozo exited Tuesday’s game with right triceps tightness after pitching two scoreless innings.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Ragans still needs one more rehab start on Friday, and Lugo is back throwing after dealing with low back tightness.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Assembly is best as a two-person job, but pretty much consists of clipping the arms to the seats and plugging in the motors.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to the clipping tools, the 7-in-1 pet grooming appliance also comes with a dog paw trimmer, a nail grinder, a deshedding tool and brushes to keep your pup’s hair tangle-free.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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