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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in curtailment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cut back
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 27 May 2025
Hydrangeas that only bloom on the current year's fresh, green growth (also referred to as new wood) should be neatened up or cut back in early spring, well before the arrival of summer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 16 May 2025
Federal cutbacks will leave our favorite pathways without vital resources and maintenance this year.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Verb
If coffee is working well for you and your body, then there is no reason to cut back.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 27 May 2025
Hydrangeas that only bloom on the current year's fresh, green growth (also referred to as new wood) should be neatened up or cut back in early spring, well before the arrival of summer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Noun
The certification arm of the National Science Foundation, which has seen drastic and systematic cutbacks in recent months under DOGE, traditionally offers reliable testing standards for chlorine removal for water filters, certifying chlorine removal over thousands of gallons of water.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 16 May 2025
Federal cutbacks will leave our favorite pathways without vital resources and maintenance this year.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cut back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cut back
Verb
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An article published that year by The New York Times notes that Davis shaved the front of her head for the part.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
To begin, researchers tried to mimic sun exposure by shaving the dorsal skin of mice and applying cis-urocanic acid (dissolved in water).—
Jay Kakade
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Paper gowns could be easily shortened to miniskirt length to wear as a reception or getaway dress.—
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 May 2025
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The jacket sleeves were shortened along with her trousers, leaving a well-deserved moment for Jackson’s statement combat boots.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The study explores the ability to add significantly more load, or demand, to the grid by implementing curtailment of those new loads (read: high power users like data centers).—
Greg Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Trump had repeatedly hinted that a future peace deal would include Ukrainian territorial and political concessions and be twinned with the curtailment of U.S. aid to Kyiv.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The end of Elon Musk’s time at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency is the latest chapter in a long story: Republicans are better at cutting taxes than cutting spending.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
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President Joe Biden promoted a suite of policies meant to cut carbon emissions by boosting EV sales.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Tampa Bay’s first two Cup Final runs in that stretch came in abbreviated seasons.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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But with 10 games left in the season, this new chapter has a chance to be more abbreviated than its potential.—
Danny Emerman,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Largely confirming what other economic models have predicted, the Congressional Budget Office's estimations show that the tradeoff for a $2.8 trillion deficit reduction over 10 years would be an overall reduction in household wealth.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 June 2025
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The answer lies in reframing identity governance as a foundational layer for risk reduction.—
Leslie Milne,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Dorothy had her hair done, The Tinman got oiled up, The Scarecrow got brand new straws, and The Cowardly Lion had his mane curled and his claws clipped.—
Debbi Kickham,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Our top picks Runner-Up: SoulCycle At-Home Bike, $2,500 Shop the best exercise bikes Ready to clip in?—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
28 May 2025
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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On Friday, Burrows, R-Lubbock, made public his request to Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee for an abridged video from a school hallway camera to be released.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
11 July 2022
Cite this Entry
“Cut back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cut%20back. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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