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
Maria Recio, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Watkins also combined his channel runs with end-product, creating several chances and providing eight assists using a combination of cutbacks and passes on the turn.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 July 2025
In their meetings, Callahan said the board also mentioned a desire to cut back on cyberbullying that might take place online during school.
—Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cutback
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Noun
But an increasingly vocal group of critics are warning of dire consequences as the rollout of federal cutbacks continues.
—Maria Recio, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Watkins also combined his channel runs with end-product, creating several chances and providing eight assists using a combination of cutbacks and passes on the turn.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Verb
Pregnant people should consider cutting back on caffeine.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 July 2025
In their meetings, Callahan said the board also mentioned a desire to cut back on cyberbullying that might take place online during school.
—Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cutback
Cite this Entry
“Cutback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutback. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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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