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
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
That approach often comes with tradeoffs, like cutting back on alcohol or budgeting differently to afford the classes and trainers who know their name and celebrate their wins.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
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
That approach often comes with tradeoffs, like cutting back on alcohol or budgeting differently to afford the classes and trainers who know their name and celebrate their wins.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
There have been scores of game-fixing and point-shaving scandals, notably involving the 1950 NCAA champion City College of New York, the 1978–79 Boston College men’s basketball team, and, in the 2000s, Arizona State men’s basketball.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Very often, the home seller and listing agent will ask for a very short timeline, removing the financing contingency (the full loan approval), shaving 10 days from the process with a closing in 21 days.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While shortening attention spans may be to blame for the shift in literature, Huehls argues that some writers are intentionally engaging with it.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Prune these shrubs by removing dead branches and shortening overgrown stems.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our policies have been defined more by optimism and generosity than by selfishness and cynicism.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Shooting the final sequence from Cassie’s point of view was a last-minute adjustment, which Levinson made the day of filming to emphasize Cassie’s narcissism and selfishness.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 76ers got small cushions, with the Celtics cutting it to a point three additional times.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
School systems typically cope with declining enrollment by closing schools and cutting staff, among other options.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Pasquantino, who didn’t start the last two games due to low back tightness, hit a solo homer in the sixth inning and Jac Caglianone followed with his third homer as well.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner departed in the second because of neck tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Tried to listen online while the neighbor made enough noise cutting and trimming his yard during the entire game.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Steve Anderson was trimming a tree near a power line with his 17-year-old son on Saturday, April 18, when the accident occurred, according to Fox affiliate KOKI.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 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 7 May. 2026.
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