as in ungenerosity
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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 back
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
Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Those in lower-income tiers are often cutting back, and say utility costs have hit them hard of late.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Those in lower-income tiers are often cutting back, and say utility costs have hit them hard of late.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting back
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
-
After years of trying out different hairstyles, Suggs finally went all in on shaving it all off.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like the hoods of two cars in a traffic accident, the continents crunched together, simultaneously shortening and flexing.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For now, the way to cut back on ice for the stars on the team is to put games away and allow the coach to roll all four of his lines in the third period, instead of shortening the bench.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People wear masks to hide their selfishness, deceiving others in order to satisfy their own desires.—
Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At its core, narcissism is defined by a lack of empathy—not just occasional selfishness, but a consistent inability or unwillingness to step into someone else’s world.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After cutting direct military aid to Ukraine last year, Washington even reached out to Kyiv for its expertise in countering Iranian drones, which Russia uses to attack it.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
During one spurt, the freshman put up eight points in less than four minutes, cutting UCLA’s lead to 11.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Testers noted smoother blending and less tightness under the eyes compared to other budget formulas.—
Taryn Brooke,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Miler, currently dealing with lower back tightness, is scheduled to throw a side session on Wednesday after being limited to throwing off flat ground.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ryan can't score after trimming more clock.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Despite being outshot through the first two periods, the Cougars hung tough before trimming the Moorhead lead to just one early in the third.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
