cutback

1 of 2

noun

cut·​back ˈkət-ˌbak How to pronounce cutback (audio)
1
: something cut back
2
: reduction
a cutback in funding

cut back

2 of 2

verb

cut back; cutting back; cuts back

transitive verb

: to shorten by cutting : prune

intransitive verb

1
: to interrupt the sequence of a plot (as of a movie) by introducing events prior to those last presented
2
: cut down
cut back on sugar

Examples of cutback in a Sentence

Verb we need to cut back the bushes a bit so that the house number is visible from the street cut back the meeting so everyone could leave early for the long weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That does not include recent emergency cutbacks to get the region through the next three years, with irrigators accepting federal funds to leave more water in Mead. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 The pace of Bay Area tech layoffs so far in 2024 remains below the cutbacks in the industry over the same time frame in 2023 — even as a widening number of technology companies continue to chop employees. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 In Brooklyn Heights, a couple that wanted to have a second child is reconsidering, anxious over crushing child care expenses and cutbacks to prekindergarten programs. Troy Closson, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Those savings along with layoffs and additional cutbacks led Meta’s profits to soar about 69 percent in 2023. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2024 Frank and Walker-Webb pointed out that the cutbacks afflicting Maryland’s largest regional theater in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are hardly unique to Baltimore. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024 These cutbacks lead to the city being less attractive to businesses and workers, which leads to more vacancies. Brad Mielke, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2023 So far this year, there have been cutbacks at companies like the L.A. Times, Pitchfork, the Messenger, Sports Illustrated, Microsoft, Amazon and more. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Feb. 2024 Walmart cashed in last year on customers trying to stretch their budgets, reporting strong third-quarter gains in November, but is still cautious of spending cutbacks. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
In the right conditions, cape plumbago can grow from 6 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, but it can be cut back. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024 Should people cut back on their caffeine intake during Ramadan? Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Squeezed customers are cutting back on shopping almost everywhere. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 According to a 2019 study, avoiding or cutting back on dairy due to lactose intolerance can put people at risk for bone loss and fractures (broken bones). Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024 The Chinese search giant relies on online advertising for more than half of total sales, which stood at 35 billion yuan ($4.9 billion) in the last quarter, but faces sluggish demand as companies cut back spending amid a softening Chinese economy. Yue Wang, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Try to cut back on being busy, and instead shift your focus onto filling your days with meaningful hobbies, tasks, and connections that bring you joy and ease. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 Companies have cut back on development programs but now is the time to lean in to identify and develop talent who are driven to learn. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Yet another video game giant is cutting back its staff. Bychris Morris, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cutback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutback was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near cutback

Cite this Entry

“Cutback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutback. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cutback

1 of 2 noun
cut·​back ˈkət-ˌbak How to pronounce cutback (audio)
: an act or instance of cutting something back

cut back

2 of 2 verb
ˈkət-ˈbak
1
2
: to reduce something in amount
cut back on smoking
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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