1
: something cut back
2
: reduction
a cutback in funding
cut back; cutting back; cuts back
: to shorten by cutting : prune
1
: to interrupt the sequence of a plot (as of a movie) by introducing events prior to those last presented
2
: cut down
cut back on sugar
Examples of cutback in a Sentence
Verb
we need to cut back the bushes a bit so that the house number is visible from the street
cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
David Bauder, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, and the elimination of its photography staff.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Rinse aids might not always seem like necessary purchases, but these cycle boosters are specially formulated to cut back on streaks and residue.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutback
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Noun
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas.
—David Bauder, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, and the elimination of its photography staff.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Pinterest also announced plans in January to lay off less than 15% of its workforce and cut back on office space, in a bid to go all in on AI.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Rinse aids might not always seem like necessary purchases, but these cycle boosters are specially formulated to cut back on streaks and residue.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cutback
Cite this Entry
“Cutback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutback. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cutback
1 of 2 noun
cut·back
ˈkət-ˌbak 
: an act or instance of cutting something back
cut back
2 of 2 verbˈkət-ˈbak
1
2
: to reduce something in amount
cut back on smoking
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