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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
One option is to remove all the dead, cutting back into the body of the fern.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
And cutting back on liquid sugars like juice and soda eliminates some of the sharpest spikes, since those drinks get absorbed rapidly.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Consumers may react to higher gas prices by cutting back on their spending elsewhere in the economy, Hammack said, which could lead to weaker growth and layoffs, which the Fed would need to respond to with rate cuts.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The broadcast kept cutting back to the scene.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
But now, customers are cutting back.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
One option is to remove all the dead, cutting back into the body of the fern.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
And cutting back on liquid sugars like juice and soda eliminates some of the sharpest spikes, since those drinks get absorbed rapidly.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Consumers may react to higher gas prices by cutting back on their spending elsewhere in the economy, Hammack said, which could lead to weaker growth and layoffs, which the Fed would need to respond to with rate cuts.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The broadcast kept cutting back to the scene.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Show off naturally curly hair without as much maintenance by shaving the sides with a close, short cut.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Orion entered the atmosphere on a steeper trajectory, shortening the heat shield’s exposure time to extreme heating.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Key Takeaways Echinacea may lower your risk of catching a cold, while zinc is more effective at shortening the length of an existing virus.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While their energies differ, nearly all of them share the same basic drives (money, power, status) and the same fundamental flaws (greed, arrogance, selfishness).—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
This is an unsustainable path if the state hopes to avoid cutting health, education and other priorities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Another option is to remove some of the pups, by cutting under the plants, and gathering the leaves with roots.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arizona, which had won three straight, did not use catcher Gabriel Moreno, who left Friday's game because of left lower back tightness and was sent for an MRI.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña exited in the fourth because of right posterior knee tightness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Get a hedge-and-branch trimming bundle at a huge discount.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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