cutback

American  

[kuht-bak] / ˈkʌtˌbæk /

noun

1. a reduction in rate, quantity, etc..

   a cutback in production.

2. a return in the course of a story, motion picture, etc., to earlier events.

3. Football. a play in which the ball-carrier abruptly reverses direction, especially by starting to make an end run and then turning suddenly to run toward the middle of the line.

4. a maneuver in surfing of heading the surfboard back toward a wave's crest.

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cutback British  

/ ˈkʌtˌbæk /

noun

1. a decrease or reduction

2. another word (esp US) for flashback

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verb

1. (tr) to shorten by cutting off the end; prune

2. to reduce or make a reduction (in)

3. (intr) (in films) to show an event that took place earlier in the narrative; flash back

Etymology

Origin of cutback

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase cut back

Example Sentences

Israel-based centre-back Seck headed Senegal into the lead from Krepin Diatta's free-kick on 38 minutes and their second goal arrived just after the hour when a superb cutback by Mane was turned in by Diallo.

From Barron's • Dec. 30, 2025

Set ‘a cutback goal’ of 10% to 20% for this year, and put the difference in an investment account.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025

Following the FAA’s cutback announcement, United said it’s long-haul international and hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by the reductions.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025

Ousmane Dembele, who has been in sensational form this season, was the one to get it, finishing first time from Olise's cutback.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2025

Apparently there had been a cutback in rations recently: still the food was better and more plentiful than at Scheveningen where there had been no noonday meal at all.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• belt-tightening
• decline
• reduction
• reversal