CUTTING BACK Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

cutting back 1 of 2

noun

as in ungenerosity

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cutting back

2 of 2

verb

present participle of cut back

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

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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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

Verb

After cutting back foliage and cleaning the bulbs, cure them by air-drying them in a warm, dry spot. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026 Karen Fernandez, lead esthetician at SkinSpirit, told Byrdie the theory is to let skin rebuild its protective stratum corneum layer, and that cutting back can also help identify products causing irritation or breakouts. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 But the serious conversations about cutting back on spending and raising taxes taking place in Europe are considerably less serious in the United States. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 Buying Al Nassr would put RedBird at the center of Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar sports expansion, which had been on a tear before the government began cutting back on spending. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 That means choosing potassium-rich foods that support healthy blood pressure, like lentils and leafy greens, while cutting back on others that cardiologists recommend limiting. — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 17 Oct. 2026 Families in this state are cutting back at the grocery store while this administration can't even track its own payroll. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 SurveyMonkey’s Treatonomics research found that affordable treats remain part of spending habits, including among people cutting back elsewhere. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 That would allow the market to self-correct by cutting back on spending. — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 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

Definition of ungenerosity

Verb

Men in some communities stop shaving, while women may remove their jewelry.

— Shushan Karapetian, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Like almost winning a race, almost shaving a second off my time for the 3200m run, my event in high school, the one that got me into college, a recruit for someone else to gamble on.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

Her ever-shortening list of agents associated with Wildflower leads her to attempt to team up again with Laila, who Conteh says was dropped from active duty about six months ago and has been AWOL ever since.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
Leaves are falling, days are shortening, and there’s a chill in the air.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortening

Noun

But Vicki’s insufferable attitude is nothing compared to Lisa’s selfishness by the end of the episode.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Timidity dissolves into might, selfishness gives place to broad-reaching love, incompetence is replaced with obedience to God’s perfect direction.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of selfishness

Verb

The verdict came just three days after regulators seized Ueno Bank, cutting nearly 3 million customers off from their savings and bank cards and setting off a political crisis.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
The little lumberjack walked to the far end of the forest and started cutting.

— Jeremy Macliver, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of cutting

Noun

Consequently, industry experts emphasize that underlying supply tightness remains unchanged, suggesting overnight crude price declines reflect short term market sentiment reactions to election results rather than shifting fundamentals.

— , CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
The rope round her neck is attached to the window frame behind her, and the weight of her body is apparent by the tightness of the rope.

— Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of tightness

Verb

Informal ones have looser requirements and can be pruned once or twice a year with selective thinning and trimming by hand.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2026
From Christmas cocktails and tree-trimming ideas to gift wrapping, recipes, and musical moments, each segment adds warmth, fun, and fresh inspiration.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of trimming

Noun

The Supportive Comfort Wireless Shaping Bra gives you wire-free lift with no pinching or poking.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Bali Double-Support Wireless Bra The bra’s signature M-frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, or poking throughout the day.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026