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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But Fishman and Redford are far more interested in whiz-bang filters and digital effects, distractions to appeal to short-form entertainment devotees, which had the ironic side effect of wildly shortening my interest.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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Most of the speakers said the solution to lengthy meetings is to meet more often, as the commissioners used to, not shortening the number of times public commenters can sign up.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 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
-
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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With equal panache, and without cutting away, the narrative focus is handed like a baton in a relay race to the arriving Mayor Dumont (Josse De Pauw) and his daughter and press attaché Marie (Violet Braeckman).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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The Legislature should focus on lowering costs by delivering permanent property tax relief, restraining state and local spending, cutting red tape that drives up housing and energy costs, and expanding reliable energy production to keep utilities affordable.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For example, women are more likely to have chest tightness as a symptom, which may be misdiagnosed as a sign of anxiety.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Marsh dealt with right-shoulder tightness after the 2024 season.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And that unease is worth keeping in mind for business leaders considering trimming the payroll.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Shut the water while trimming the unwanted hair.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 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
-
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 16 Feb. 2026.
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