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
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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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Recent Examples of cutting back
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Those in lower-income tiers are often cutting back, and say utility costs have hit them hard of late.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Pruning improves air circulation, and cutting back long, leggy, single stems reserves energy for new growth.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
In the segment, the co-hosts discussed body image and then cut to a clip from Girls, before cutting back to them, in the studio with their tops off (with black bars covering them from the waist up).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the findings suggest that fewer Americans may be drinking, but those who do may not be cutting back as dramatically as surveys focused solely on participation imply.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
That has included some districts cutting back specialist medical response teams, mental health crisis teams and heavy rescue teams, Watkins said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Those in lower-income tiers are often cutting back, and say utility costs have hit them hard of late.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Pruning improves air circulation, and cutting back long, leggy, single stems reserves energy for new growth.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026
In the segment, the co-hosts discussed body image and then cut to a clip from Girls, before cutting back to them, in the studio with their tops off (with black bars covering them from the waist up).
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the findings suggest that fewer Americans may be drinking, but those who do may not be cutting back as dramatically as surveys focused solely on participation imply.
—Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
That has included some districts cutting back specialist medical response teams, mental health crisis teams and heavy rescue teams, Watkins said.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
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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There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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ChatGPT's early lead among individual users appears to be shortening as rivals like Google’s Gemini close in on its app and web market share—a shift that could complicate the company’s reported plans to IPO later this year.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Samuel Helenius, Andrei Kuzmenko and Corey Perry (empty net) scored for the Kings (22-16-3), who won their third straight game after Monday’s game in Columbus was postponed due to Sunday’s blizzard, shortening their trip from six to five games.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The selfish tyrant attaches himself only to those others who share his selfishness, who are eager to wear the mask of perpetual lying.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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If not for Camilla, who’d gone out of her way to take Regina in, even letting her share the bedroom with her and Lalla, the others wouldn’t have welcomed her—not out of spite, no, because none of them were spiteful after all, but out of indifference, selfishness, plain and simple.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the opportunity to sell Romero arises in the summer, Spurs should seriously consider cutting their losses and reinvesting the money in a more reliable defender.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Local reports said Ukrainian missiles hit a power plant and an electrical substation, cutting power to parts of the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bam Adebayo is listed as probable with hip tightness.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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Respiratory Conditions Chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect your lungs and airways, causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The administration has framed trimming the agency’s headcount as a move towards modernity and higher efficiency.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
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In the 2025 session, lawmakers made billions of dollars in cuts, trimming the state budget from $72 billion to roughly $67 billion.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The bra’s signature M frame creates a sturdy structure that supports your chest sans underwire — thereby avoiding any digging, pinching, and poking throughout the day.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Made from SpanxSmooth material—a lightweight nylon-and-elastane blend—the bralette feels almost weightless and provides gentle smoothing without any digging or pinching.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cutting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cutting%20back. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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