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
Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
While low-income shoppers are cutting back on spending, high earners keep infusing the economy with their cash, fueled by stock and real estate gains.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Pruning improves air circulation, and cutting back long, leggy, single stems reserves energy for new growth.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
In the segment, the co-hosts discussed body image and then cut to a clip from Girls, before cutting back to them, in the studio with their tops off (with black bars covering them from the waist up).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the findings suggest that fewer Americans may be drinking, but those who do may not be cutting back as dramatically as surveys focused solely on participation imply.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
That has included some districts cutting back specialist medical response teams, mental health crisis teams and heavy rescue teams, Watkins said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Some school districts are already calling for e-learning on Friday, and trains across the city are cutting back on service.
—Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
While low-income shoppers are cutting back on spending, high earners keep infusing the economy with their cash, fueled by stock and real estate gains.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Pruning improves air circulation, and cutting back long, leggy, single stems reserves energy for new growth.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
In the segment, the co-hosts discussed body image and then cut to a clip from Girls, before cutting back to them, in the studio with their tops off (with black bars covering them from the waist up).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the findings suggest that fewer Americans may be drinking, but those who do may not be cutting back as dramatically as surveys focused solely on participation imply.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
That has included some districts cutting back specialist medical response teams, mental health crisis teams and heavy rescue teams, Watkins said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
For Adams, who was cutting back library hours to pay for the shelters and taking political heat for giving handouts to migrants, that was not a satisfying answer.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
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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There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Samuel Helenius, Andrei Kuzmenko and Corey Perry (empty net) scored for the Kings (22-16-3), who won their third straight game after Monday’s game in Columbus was postponed due to Sunday’s blizzard, shortening their trip from six to five games.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Beat shortening with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The selfish tyrant attaches himself only to those others who share his selfishness, who are eager to wear the mask of perpetual lying.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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If not for Camilla, who’d gone out of her way to take Regina in, even letting her share the bedroom with her and Lalla, the others wouldn’t have welcomed her—not out of spite, no, because none of them were spiteful after all, but out of indifference, selfishness, plain and simple.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although the Jayhawks led by as many as 21 points, BYU stayed within striking distance in the second half, cutting the lead to six as the clock ticked under two minutes to go.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
There were cancellations and delays, with the Department of Transportation cutting flights due to safety concerns.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Celtics were without their leading scorer, Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined with left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The tightness can lead to slower growth and issues with effective water and nutrient absorption.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Georgia continues to find some rhythm offensively, trimming the lead to 14 at the third media timeout.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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City officials are now considering trimming or removing trees near the fields to improve visibility and reduce glare.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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