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
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Recent Examples of cut back
Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 May 2026
According to the bank’s analysis, higher-income households largely maintained their driving habits in March despite rising fuel prices, while lower-income households cut back consumption more sharply, potentially by driving less, carpooling or using more public transit.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
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
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Solans’ cutback sent KC’s Jansen Miller sliding the wrong way, making for an easy finish that doubled the gap in the 55th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
Fernández cut back to evade a defender near corner of the 6-yard box and then skipped a shot that deflected off the hand of goalkeeper Kristjian Kahlina and rolled into the net to open the scoring.
—Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 May 2026
According to the bank’s analysis, higher-income households largely maintained their driving habits in March despite rising fuel prices, while lower-income households cut back consumption more sharply, potentially by driving less, carpooling or using more public transit.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Adjective
In September 2023, under De Zerbi, Brighton’s opening goal again came from a cut-back, this time the right flank.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
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
João Cancelo made a nice run through the left side of the area with a couple of cutback moves to get past defenders but his shot was parried by keeper Juan Muso and rebounded in off Lewandowski's shoulder.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Solans’ cutback sent KC’s Jansen Miller sliding the wrong way, making for an easy finish that doubled the gap in the 55th minute.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Ghia’s take on the XK140 was likely even faster, since its lightweight aluminum body—replacing the standard model’s steel shell—shaved as much as 220 pounds.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The procedure could shorten Snell’s recovery time by a month, compared to a more traditional arthroscopic procedure.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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The average distance between where family lives and where the childcare is taking place has also been shortened, the mayor said.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
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India is already rationing LNG supplies, according to a note S&P Global Energy shared with CNBC, which said power generation, refining, and petrochemicals are lower-priority sectors and therefore more exposed to curtailments.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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In exchange for the curtailment of some freedoms, the people submit to an authority, thereby gaining protection and security.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Tempo cut it to three midway through the fourth while Brittany Sykes (27 points, seven assists) sparked Toronto’s rally.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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Kreutzer cuts clunkily and repeatedly between the ongoing crises in two households, presumably implying that the men in these women’s lives are all tarred with the same patriarchal brush.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Liam Merrigan fired an abbreviated no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and a walk as Hingham bested Marshfield 5-0 in five innings.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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But in this case, that doesn’t matter, because after such an abbreviated Herro season, the Heat simply have to wait to see greater durability, meaning deferring the contract decision.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This soot reduction could also make engines stealthier by reducing their infrared signature.—
David Szondy
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
-
As of May 15, the stock was trading down nearly 35% from the time of its workforce reduction.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Verb
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In multiple cases, other road users struck the autonomous vehicle from behind or clipped it while passing.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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The Cavs may clip the Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday, even on the road.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
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For theater owners, even the abridged period of theatrical exclusivity is considered a win.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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