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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Video games are Whitehead’s usual palate cleanser between projects, but lately he’s been cutting back.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Keep your ferns tidy by cutting back old, decaying growth.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 June 2026
Kilan Ashad-Bishop, a University of Miami assistant professor and the study’s lead investigator, said participants described relying more on air conditioning, cutting back on social activities and rescheduling appointments to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
The Women’s Eredivisie, the top-flight female league in Holland now has just 10 teams, after cutting back from 12 last season.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
For those looking to protect their long-term health, researchers emphasized that cutting back to one drink or giving up alcohol entirely appears to be the best strategy.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
For some, that includes cutting back on other necessities such as food, budgeting strictly to afford half a tank of gas a week and rethinking side hustles such as food delivery service.
—
Lily Wright,
Los Angeles Times,
12 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
Verb
Medicare's bridge program comes as companies that provide health insurance for most working-age adults are cutting back coverage.
—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Video games are Whitehead’s usual palate cleanser between projects, but lately he’s been cutting back.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Keep your ferns tidy by cutting back old, decaying growth.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 June 2026
Kilan Ashad-Bishop, a University of Miami assistant professor and the study’s lead investigator, said participants described relying more on air conditioning, cutting back on social activities and rescheduling appointments to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
The Women’s Eredivisie, the top-flight female league in Holland now has just 10 teams, after cutting back from 12 last season.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
For those looking to protect their long-term health, researchers emphasized that cutting back to one drink or giving up alcohol entirely appears to be the best strategy.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
For some, that includes cutting back on other necessities such as food, budgeting strictly to afford half a tank of gas a week and rethinking side hustles such as food delivery service.
—
Lily Wright,
Los Angeles Times,
12 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
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.
Verb
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Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 13% off, shaving $20 off.
-
Evert allowed cameras to accompany her to treatments and doctor appointments and document her son shaving off her hair after chemotherapy.
Verb
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While anagen duration is largely inherited, factors like nutrition, stress, and hormones significantly influence hair health and loss, with androgens notably shortening scalp hair's growth phase.
-
The changes allow some large IPOs to become eligible for the Nasdaq-100 after just 15 trading days, dramatically shortening what had historically been a far longer waiting period.
Noun
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After Portugal’s 1-1 tie against DR Congo, Henry explained the selfishness of Cristiano Ronaldo’s movement, not opening space for a teammate.
-
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.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
-
The Rockets essentially dumped Finney-Smith in a cost-cutting move after making some free agent transactions, notably signing guard Marcus Smart, and surrendered three second-rounders to the Hornets to seal the deal.
Noun
-
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.
-
Seabold pitched two-thirds of an inning before exiting with right-lat tightness.
Verb
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This factor was vastly dwarfed by organizational restructuring, budget cuts, and economic conditions, which are all far more standard explanations historically used by corporations to justify trimming jobs.
-
Consider trimming a task list, then schedule a quiet break between meetings to recharge.
Noun
-
The headband is flexible for a perfect fit, and the adjustable earcups have plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
-
The Maui flip-flops target key pressure points on the sole of the foot to help evenly distribute weight and reduce stress, while the wide toe post is designed to minimize pinching and blisters.
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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