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
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
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
So can cutting back on humidity within crawl spaces, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
—Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Verb
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
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
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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The researchers estimated that those who got neither bright days nor dark nights were shaving five years off their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
The criticism died down only after shaving off nanoseconds became widespread, making the strategy less profitable.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
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And while research shows that exercise supports healthy sleep by regulating body temperature, mood, metabolism and circadian rhythm, Weiner cautions that exercising too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep by delaying sleep onset, shortening sleep duration and lowering overall sleep quality.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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By shortening the policy statement and dropping forward guidance, Warsh signaled a shift toward a data‑first approach that could leave markets with less advance warning on future rate moves.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
18 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
-
The adjectives used to describe vampire Lucy suggest monstrous selfishness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The interim agreement to end the Iran war has already reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed, cutting the global economy off from significant supplies of oil and natural gas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
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But after the cost-cutting trade of Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, the depth chart for the edge rusher spots is thin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
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Center fielder Michael Harris II, who left Tuesday night's game with lower back tightness, was held out of Wednesday's games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Lower back discomfort or tightness might be due to arching of your back, or your back muscles tacking on too much of the work to overcompensate for a lack of hip strength or control.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Crews are focusing on the 15 feet along the roadsides, trimming trees that are still alive to help prevent fire from laddering into the crowns and removing dead trees.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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While some varieties will rebloom without deadheading, trimming fading flowers keeps the flower bed from looking tired.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
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.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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