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
Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Most Dianthus plants can remain somewhat evergreen throughout the winter and nothing is gained by cutting back in the fall.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Lower-income families and communities of color are disproportionately facing hardships and more likely to be facing imminent financial insecurity, including falling behind on bills or cutting back on food.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Renewal pruning is another beneficial technique—cutting back overgrown stems to remove barriers preventing light from reaching inner branches.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Eighty percent of Americans are cutting back on spending due to higher gas prices.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Ailing Spirit Airlines had been on a roller-coast ride for a couple of years, adding flights and cutting back, sometimes at the same time.
—Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Consider cutting back stems that cross or rub against one another.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Earth Day on the 22nd is a wonderful anchor for habits around sustainability like planting something, spending more intentional time outside, or cutting back on single-use plastics.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
For people wondering how to avoid microplastics, experts say one of the smartest moves is simply cutting back on unnecessary plastic use.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Most Dianthus plants can remain somewhat evergreen throughout the winter and nothing is gained by cutting back in the fall.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Lower-income families and communities of color are disproportionately facing hardships and more likely to be facing imminent financial insecurity, including falling behind on bills or cutting back on food.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Renewal pruning is another beneficial technique—cutting back overgrown stems to remove barriers preventing light from reaching inner branches.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Eighty percent of Americans are cutting back on spending due to higher gas prices.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Ailing Spirit Airlines had been on a roller-coast ride for a couple of years, adding flights and cutting back, sometimes at the same time.
—Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Consider cutting back stems that cross or rub against one another.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Earth Day on the 22nd is a wonderful anchor for habits around sustainability like planting something, spending more intentional time outside, or cutting back on single-use plastics.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 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
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This awesome little robovac-mop is literally shaving a full workday a week off her already insane I'm-a-mom schedule.—
Joe Salas
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Sobbing while shaving head in…what’s that movie?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Walmart is converting empty stores into delivery hubs, further shortening the last mile between the retailer and the consumer.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Harsh scrubbing can wear away the protective sealants that keep water and bacteria out, damaging grout lines and shortening their lifespan.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
-
Our policies have been defined more by optimism and generosity than by selfishness and cynicism.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The Tempo didn’t make things easy, cutting the deficit to two points late and later trailing by just three with 31 seconds remaining and possession of the ball.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
The bridge demonstrates a new, lighter approach to low-carbon infrastructure, cutting waste and CO₂ by depositing concrete only where needed.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Just as in April, lobbying from Asian allies and more tightness in the oil market could still prompt the administration to to issue a new waiver later.—
Jennifer A. Dlouhy,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
Yet Suarez also missed his last turn in the rotation after leaving his May 3 start in the fourth inning due to right hamstring tightness.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Mamdani’s Executive Budget rightly addresses some of this excess, trimming DOC’s uniformed headcount by 586 positions, and putting the city on track to save $78 million next year.—
Jason Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
-
The conglomerate also fully exited Amazon after trimming the position late last year.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Don’t settle for painful pinching and friction on your next outing.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The result is a weeknight-friendly meal with no need for folding and pinching.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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