CUTS BACK Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

cuts back

verb

present tense third-person singular of cut back

as in shaves

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

as in shortens

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

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 cuts back When the film next cuts back to this room, Sri explains that this is the root of her decision to leave and work in Saudi Arabia. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 The video then cuts back to Allen, bloodied and walking through the parking lot in a daze. — Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Customers also love that the Orbit Telescoping Gutter Wand significantly cuts back cleaning time. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026 This distasteful interlude cuts back to Reacher and Green continuing to interrogate Ahlquist. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026 When the first Eva cuts back her hours, the narrator hires a second Eva. — Catherine G. Wagley, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 As the federal government cuts back on federal food assistance, demand continues to grow McDonough noted. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 Pruning cuts back the plant’s shape and encourages branching. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026 Extensive clinical and user trials have found that the topical helps skin appear smoother, cuts back on fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet, alleviates redness, and doesn’t clog pores all the while. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cuts back

Verb

That shaves a year off the typical 120-hour bachelor’s degree.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
For example, using behind-the-meter battery storage or local generation during peak windows actively shaves expensive demand charges without sacrificing performance.

— Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of shaves

Verb

Their average life span is about 8,000 hours, but turning them on and off frequently shortens this time frame.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
Keeping machining close to engineering also shortens the feedback loop between design and testing.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortens

Verb

Which is why golf buddies Tyler Kenney and Zach Smith founded Laced Golf, a digital device that clips onto your shoelaces and gives you real-time feedback on your stance using lights and haptic vibration.

— Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
All of my essentials are packed in my Stowaway, which clips into my weekender as a bag organizer, and can clip out to be worn on its own as a crossbody when walking around during the day or as a clutch when going out in the evening.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 16 July 2026

Definition of clips

Verb

The resulting walk-away safe design prevents fuel meltdowns by basic physical principles, which significantly lowers manufacturing costs and trims regulatory hurdles.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
However, his proposal trims the Center’s initial $750 million ask, with other groups also taking much smaller haircuts as well.

— Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of trims

Verb

Scrolling through Reddit and X feels claustrophobic because the screen aggressively crops out so much content.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
When a user uploads a photo, the algorithm locates the bee, crops the image and compares it to our database.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025

Definition of crops

Browse Nearby Words

cuts a deal

cuts back

cuts capers

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Cuts back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cuts%20back. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cuts back

verb

Example Sentences

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