1
as in to shave
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 to shorten
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 curtailed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in curtailment
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cut back
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
It is bordered by a playground, tended by a man who cuts back the grass borders with a scythe.
—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
The Writers Guild of America has ratified a four-year contract with the major studios, agreeing to significant cutbacks in the writers’ health plan.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
And under state law, in times of scarcity, most of the others must cut back to protect COID’s share of the river.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
It is bordered by a playground, tended by a man who cuts back the grass borders with a scythe.
—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Adjective
The Vikings want to base out of the wide zone, where offensive linemen fire off the ball in tandem and running backs find clear cut-back lanes.
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Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Both were from similar actions, where Paintsil tapped in a cut-back pass that nobody on Sporting’s back line anticipated.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
What this usually means is an aggressive reduction in expenses; in the case of a college athletic department, that would likely mean the potential elimination of entire programs, staff positions, and a cutback on various budgets.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
The Writers Guild of America has ratified a four-year contract with the major studios, agreeing to significant cutbacks in the writers’ health plan.
—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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The group — which Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Meta , Tesla and Amazon — shaved off roughly $2 trillion in market cap, as investors are starting to reassess the investing case for these once unbeatable mega-caps.
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Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities.
Verb
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Late 19th and Early 20th Century Most Western states capitalized on the barriers imposed on divorce and lessened their residency requirements to shorten the length of time one had to reside in the state to be able to file for divorce.
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The heat wave has also forced the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill to shorten its hours on July Fourth and adjust its match schedule starting Tuesday through Friday.
Adjective
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In an abbreviated roadshow, SpaceX priced its IPO at $135 and told investors to take it or leave it.
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In recent years, shorts have been getting smaller, shorter, more abbreviated.
Noun
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This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
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Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Adjective
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That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.
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For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.
Noun
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In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
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Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.
Verb
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At the low end, a dog washing station is a hose, a spray nozzle and somewhere to clip the leash.
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His pass to Luis Romo was perhaps a little short but the midfielder kept his cool, finding Roberto Alvarado, who clipped a gorgeous, inviting pass over the top.
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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