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
Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
And earlier this month, the CEO of discount grocery store Dollar General, Todd Vasos, revealed that the chain’s shoppers are cutting back on food and other household goods.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026
Consumers are cutting back discretionary spending, which is affecting alcohol sales, as well as shifting to spirits or premade options.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Rolling the dice As insurance costs climb, many homeowners are postponing major life decisions and cutting back elsewhere.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
With inflation and rising costs, many people are cutting back on their spending.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 1 June 2026
This is done by cutting back the growing tip of the trunk (called the central leader) during the first winter after planting and selectively removing side branches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
With chatbots like Claude around, more companies are cutting back on internships.
—Joshua Brustein, Bloomberg, 29 May 2026
So can cutting back on humidity within crawl spaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
—Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Verb
As the war with Iran sends gas above $4 a gallon, Americans keep spending but quietly recalibrate budgets, with lower-income shoppers cutting back and economists bracing for a broader pullback once tax refunds fade.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
And earlier this month, the CEO of discount grocery store Dollar General, Todd Vasos, revealed that the chain’s shoppers are cutting back on food and other household goods.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026
Consumers are cutting back discretionary spending, which is affecting alcohol sales, as well as shifting to spirits or premade options.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
Rolling the dice As insurance costs climb, many homeowners are postponing major life decisions and cutting back elsewhere.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
With inflation and rising costs, many people are cutting back on their spending.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 1 June 2026
This is done by cutting back the growing tip of the trunk (called the central leader) during the first winter after planting and selectively removing side branches.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
With chatbots like Claude around, more companies are cutting back on internships.
—Joshua Brustein, Bloomberg, 29 May 2026
So can cutting back on humidity within crawl spaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
—Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 29 May 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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In October, the feds announced a sweeping investigation into NBA point-shaving rings tied to the mafia.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Fairley also admitted Thursday to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Simison emphasized robust public-safety services, including shortening fire department response times, incorporating new technologies into policing and the advent of several large developments and transportation projects.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
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Many researchers have theorized that melting Ice Age glaciers likely helped passively shift the Altar Stone closer to southern England’s Salisbury Plain around 2500 BCE, shortening the transport distance for Stonehenge’s creators.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Claire’s elective death therefore remains a problematic choice for some viewers, an act of vainglorious selfishness from a woman who was never terribly nice to begin with.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
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The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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What else is going on AI is cutting hours of office work for workers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Pasquantino has dealt with tightness in his lower back this season.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
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Per The Athletic's Tom Bogert, Pochettino said Pulisic took a kick to the calf that caused some tightness, and the decision to remove him was purely precautionary.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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Midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, trimming the United States' lead to 3-1.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The penny pinching doesn’t exactly translate with the NBA, a players’ league and one where market size to elevate brand is difficult in Portland.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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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,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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