1
: something cut back
2
: reduction
a cutback in funding
cut back; cutting back; cuts back
: to shorten by cutting : prune
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
Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025
As cutbacks have not focused on such personnel, this analysis seems reasonable.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025
Marisa Elrick, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Many other schools have cut back on graduate admissions.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cutback
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Noun
Quite literally a minute later, Sporting gave up the second, a run from Sebastian Lletget along the end line and a cutback pass to a wide-open Leo Chu.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025
As cutbacks have not focused on such personnel, this analysis seems reasonable.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Southwest blamed rising fuel prices, which account for a significant portion of operating expenses, for its decision to cut back offerings.
—Marisa Elrick, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2025
Many other schools have cut back on graduate admissions.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cutback
Cite this Entry
“Cutback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutback. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cutback
1 of 2 noun
cut·back
ˈkət-ˌbak 
: an act or instance of cutting something back
cut back
2 of 2 verbˈkət-ˈbak
1
2
: to reduce something in amount
cut back on smoking
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