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Definition of cutback

cutback

/ˈkʌt.bæk/
cut · back
Plural:cutbacks
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cutback Lexical Profile

cutback Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An act or instance of reducing something, especially in spending, production, or staffing.

Example

"The university announced severe budget cutbacks for the upcoming fiscal year."

2

In surfing and skateboarding, a sharp turn made back toward the breaking part of a wave or the inside of a ramp.

Example

"The surfer executed a smooth cutback to stay within the pocket of the wave."

3

North American In American football, a sudden change of direction by a ball carrier against the flow of the play.

Example

"The running back spotted an open lane and made a quick cutback for a twenty-yard gain."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The closed compound "cutback" functions as a noun ("budget cutbacks"), whereas the open two-word phrase "cut back" functions as a phrasal verb ("we must cut back on spending").

• Nearby Words

customs
cut
cutaway
cutback
cutdown
cute
cutely

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cutback. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cutback
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