as in ungenerosity
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of cutting back
Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
However, there is hope for afficionados looking to enjoy wine while still cutting back on the booze.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Harvest by cutting back leaves when young, since these are sweeter than older leaves.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Last month, the penalty was removed conditional to India cutting back imports from Moscow and buying more American energy.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Executives have blamed the brand’s woes on young people cutting back on going out to eat and a tough economic climate that has hurt the restaurant industry.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Opting for plants that do well with less water can help keep your garden growing while also cutting back on your utility bills.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Johnson, who’s cutting back his college basketball work, will host the Final Four.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Historically, consumers tend to respond to big energy-price shocks by cutting back on spending in other areas.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
However, there is hope for afficionados looking to enjoy wine while still cutting back on the booze.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Harvest by cutting back leaves when young, since these are sweeter than older leaves.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Last month, the penalty was removed conditional to India cutting back imports from Moscow and buying more American energy.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Executives have blamed the brand’s woes on young people cutting back on going out to eat and a tough economic climate that has hurt the restaurant industry.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Opting for plants that do well with less water can help keep your garden growing while also cutting back on your utility bills.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Johnson, who’s cutting back his college basketball work, will host the Final Four.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cutting back
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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For three men in three different places, shaving their heads did not erase years of anxiety but changed the narrative.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
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That's because these plug-in or balcony solar panels start shaving off part of a homeowner's or renter's utility bill right away.—
Jeff Brady,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Certain lifestyle habits can negatively affect your physical and mental health, shortening your potential lifespan.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
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Give your signature lob a fresh new update by shortening it in the back and letting the front pieces fall into a flattering angle.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To take time out of one’s days or nights or weekends, to excuse oneself from family time, or time with friends, in order to write and think about one’s life, is an act of selfishness that is needed more now than ever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
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And there is a selfishness in understanding that in your craft and your industry, this is a pinnacle.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That the Illini couldn’t complete their comeback attempt despite cutting it to four in the final minutes was dismaying.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony a couple of hours before the game, gigantic scissors slicing a pink ribbon.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Schmitt scratched, Encarnacion gets first start First baseman Casey Schmitt was scratched from Friday’s starting lineup due to lower back tightness.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Mark Vientos reached base safely four times, but slugger Juan Soto exited early with right calf tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bangladesh has launched fresh measures to curb energy consumption, cutting office hours and trimming public spending as conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel markets and strains power supply in the South Asian nation.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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After trimming the board’s budget for 2026, Meta plans to further reduce funding in 2027 and 2028, and potentially stop paying for it entirely after that, Platformer reports.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The memory foam construction also provides plush cushioning to prevent pinching.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In digital tests, wearers used natural pinching and grasping gestures to zoom and manipulate virtual objects on a computer screen with fluid precision.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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