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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cut-back
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Two weeks ago, the agency shared a statistical analysis of those cutbacks using a 77-month study period.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Sarah Garone, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
This latest one from Arby's, the Loaded Italian Sandwich, is an attempt to garner more foot traffic from many who once frequented their restaurants but have cut back on dining out in favor of eating at home to save money.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Adjective
The General Assembly is expected to meet in special session in late September or early October, and leaders have left open the possibility of making some adjustments to state spending to response to the federal cutbacks.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025
Two weeks ago, the agency shared a statistical analysis of those cutbacks using a 77-month study period.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
On the flip side, cutting back or eliminating soda could help keep these effects at bay, ultimately reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
This latest one from Arby's, the Loaded Italian Sandwich, is an attempt to garner more foot traffic from many who once frequented their restaurants but have cut back on dining out in favor of eating at home to save money.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut-back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut-back
Verb
-
Lush lumps of rock crab arrived in a flying saucer made of ice and covered with kohlrabi shaved thin as a layer of frost.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
To get into character, the actor had to shave his head, wear a combover and adjust his posture to appear nearly a foot shorter in order to capture the American songwriter's physical appearance.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mishkin also wasn’t persuaded there were exigent circumstances to warrant shortening the 15-day window.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Overnight humidity recovery should help shorten the burn period and reduce maximum spread distances.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The curtailment of academic freedom, the deportation of foreign students, the banning of protests: all of this is being done under the pretext of protecting Jews, who alone are entitled to protections that other groups apparently don’t merit.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Others have cut bills by a factor of five.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Jobless claims hit their highest level since 2021 last week, adding to recent labor market revisions that have fueled confidence the Fed will cut rates in September.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Key Takeaways Small caps lead weekly gains, Russell 2000 jumps 3.5% Jobs report shows strength, but private sector lags behind Markets calm despite tariff uncertainty and Elon Musk drama Despite the abbreviated trading week, stocks posted decent gains.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While sustainable aviation fuels and electric aircraft will play larger roles in long-term decarbonization, immediate weight reduction offers airlines tangible benefits today.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The scale of the revision announced on Tuesday exceeds a downward reduction in hiring estimates last year that has drawn criticism from Trump in recent weeks.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Like NexLawn's upcoming Vidar robo-mowers, the futuristic rover will navigate the garden using LiDAR and vision sensors while clipping the grass.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Fixed a bug where allied player characters could clip through tombstones when Totem Stella was used.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That's the abridged version of the tricky nature of prosecuting a murder case without a body.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2023
-
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-back. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share