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
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Historically, consumers tend to respond to big energy-price shocks by cutting back on spending in other areas.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 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
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That's because these plug-in or balcony solar panels start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
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Jalen Smith, one of the men alleged to have helped perpetrate a sprawling college basketball point-shaving scheme, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to charges stemming from a Department of Justice indictment that unspooled the gambling ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Tar Heels faded badly in the VCU game, with Davis shortening his rotation to keep four players on the floor for the entire second half while another played 15 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The subway project is designed to extend the Q line almost 2 miles into Harlem and East Harlem, shortening the daily commutes of upwards of 100,000 New Yorkers.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To take time out of one’s days or nights or weekends, to excuse oneself from family time, or time with friends, in order to write and think about one’s life, is an act of selfishness that is needed more now than ever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
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And there is a selfishness in understanding that in your craft and your industry, this is a pinnacle.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fear, Webster said, can make young athletes avoid sport-specific movements like cutting or jumping even after physical clearance.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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That could mean Mediterranean, Paleo, cutting ultraprocessed foods or another structured approach.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Saturday, further uncertainty entered the equation, with guard Norman Powell listed as questionable due to calf tightness, having recently missed seven consecutive games due to a groin strain.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Spurs guard Devin Vassell was ruled out 15 minutes before tipoff after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring during warmups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Vanity Fair trimming its guest list down to the bone and Warners not throwing the kind of party people like me were invited to, Neon’s Oscar party at Mother Wolf became the de facto post–Governors’ Ball gathering spot.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Silver plunged more than 13% before trimming losses.—
Yvonne Yue Li,
Bloomberg,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The penny pinching has small business owners complaining about hard times.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 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,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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