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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ungenerosity
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Experts also say the benefits of India cutting back on Russian oil purchases outweigh the downsides.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Consider using a soil thermometer to determine when to start cutting back your plants.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
His crossing has often been a source of frustration, sometimes ballooning the ball too often, taking too long to put it into the area or cutting back on himself hesitantly.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
This year is especially important as chains try to reel in consumers who have been cutting back on discretionary spending.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Drinking more water, increasing physical activity, eating potassium-rich foods, and cutting back on salt may improve excretion and potentially improve blood pressure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
After sleep, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine can be helpful.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Thin out old growth by cutting back one-third of the older, thicker gray canes to the ground.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Experts also say the benefits of India cutting back on Russian oil purchases outweigh the downsides.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The script is very confusing to read, cutting back and forth between the dream world and reality.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Consider using a soil thermometer to determine when to start cutting back your plants.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
His crossing has often been a source of frustration, sometimes ballooning the ball too often, taking too long to put it into the area or cutting back on himself hesitantly.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
This year is especially important as chains try to reel in consumers who have been cutting back on discretionary spending.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Drinking more water, increasing physical activity, eating potassium-rich foods, and cutting back on salt may improve excretion and potentially improve blood pressure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
After sleep, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine can be helpful.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting back
Verb
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Boston College men's basketball point-shaving scandal One of the clearest examples of La Cosa Nostra's reach in sports was the 1978-79 scandal involving Boston College and two associates of the Lucchese crime family.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Access to Chatswood has just been made easier by the 60 billion Australian dollar, or $39 billion, Sydney Metro project, with the new Chatswood to Sydenham line opening a year ago, making the trip between Sydney’s CBD and Chatswood now just 11 minutes, shaving almost two thirds off the road trip.—
Patty Huntington,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to Simpson, the staff first chose this timeline, rather than cutting service entirely or shortening the season more, due to feedback from residents and members of the city's Senior Commission.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Once opened, air exposure and cross-contamination from utensils can introduce moisture and bacteria, shortening their shelf life.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
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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Walz drew a surge of media attention and prompted popular X posts on the campaign trail for cutting a rootsy profile like her father.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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In cutting those moments, Baxter used the score to track the temperature of his edit, especially as the second chapter begins.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Friendship also let viewers see some of those Robinson character quirks as evidence of selfishness, male ego, and real mental instability.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
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There is zero selfishness to his game, no holding back to prevent injury.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Adams’ Exit Narrows the Field After Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race, much of his support appeared to transfer to Cuomo, trimming Mamdani’s lead.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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After trimming a 17-point third quarter deficit to 12 to start the fourth quarter, Kerr sent the starters back out to begin the fourth quarter.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The 24-year-old superstar left Sunday's contest against the Indiana Pacers with hamstring tightness.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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But then Ellis woke up on Saturday morning with back tightness.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Next to a wooden model of an ibis and a Brazil shirt signed by 1994 World Cup winner Ricardo Rocha is a small newspaper clipping.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Tie branches with twine and add evergreen tassels, then insert photos in the branches, clipping them on, if needed, to hold in place.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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