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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
However, there is hope for afficionados looking to enjoy wine while still cutting back on the booze.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Harvest by cutting back leaves when young, since these are sweeter than older leaves.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Last month, the penalty was removed conditional to India cutting back imports from Moscow and buying more American energy.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Executives have blamed the brand’s woes on young people cutting back on going out to eat and a tough economic climate that has hurt the restaurant industry.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Opting for plants that do well with less water can help keep your garden growing while also cutting back on your utility bills.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Johnson, who’s cutting back his college basketball work, will host the Final Four.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Historically, consumers tend to respond to big energy-price shocks by cutting back on spending in other areas.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
However, there is hope for afficionados looking to enjoy wine while still cutting back on the booze.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Harvest by cutting back leaves when young, since these are sweeter than older leaves.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Last month, the penalty was removed conditional to India cutting back imports from Moscow and buying more American energy.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Executives have blamed the brand’s woes on young people cutting back on going out to eat and a tough economic climate that has hurt the restaurant industry.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Opting for plants that do well with less water can help keep your garden growing while also cutting back on your utility bills.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Johnson, who’s cutting back his college basketball work, will host the Final Four.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
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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For three men in three different places, shaving their heads did not erase years of anxiety but changed the narrative.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
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That's because these plug-in or balcony solar panels start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That only increased existing scrutiny of Davis’ coaching decisions — such as shortening his second-half rotation to have four players play all 20 second-half minutes — as well as his terse and awkward responses afterward.—
Aaron Beard,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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And in August, the Department of Homeland Security proposed shortening the length of time foreign students could remain in the country.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To take time out of one’s days or nights or weekends, to excuse oneself from family time, or time with friends, in order to write and think about one’s life, is an act of selfishness that is needed more now than ever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
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And there is a selfishness in understanding that in your craft and your industry, this is a pinnacle.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Huston’s come a long way from cutting hair near 87th Street and Wornall Road.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lowe missed much of spring training because of oblique tightness on his left side.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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Ayo Dosunmu, who missed Wednesday’s contest with tightness in his right calf, is questionable for the Detroit game.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Officials will spend months trimming, adding to and massaging the financial books to address residents’ priorities.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In 2018, seventeen-year-old landscaper Alex Childress was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns on his face after unknowingly trimming giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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