cut - thesaurus entry

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

verb

1
to use a knife, pair of scissors, or other sharp tool to divide something into two or more pieces
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Cutting, cuts and relating to cutting: chop, chop, clip, cut, cut out, cut up, cut, etch, finely, hack... more
1. a.
  to use a sharp tool to remove a piece from something
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  Remove by cutting: chop off, clip, crop, cut, cut away, cut back, cut off, cut out, gouge out, lop off... more
2. b.
  to use a sharp tool to make something shorter
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  To change the length of something: lengthen, stretch, shorten, elongate, cut, grow, extend, abbreviate, telescope, truncate... more
2
to be capable of cutting in a particular way
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Cutting, cuts and relating to cutting: chop, chop, clip, cut, cut out, cut up, cut, etch, finely, hack... more
1. a.
  to be able to cut a particular substance
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  Cutting, cuts and relating to cutting: chop, chop, clip, cut, cut out, cut up, cut, etch, finely, hack... more
3
to injure a part of your body with something sharp that cuts the skin
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To injure yourself or someone else: injure, harm, wound, cut, burn, strain, break, bruise, disable... more
4
to reduce something such as the amount or level of something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To reduce something: top-slice, cut back, reduce, shrivel, minimize, halve, lower, decrease, erode, trim down... more
5
to reduce the strength or effectiveness of something by mixing it with something else
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To become, or to make something weaker: weaken, lessen, reduce, subside, moderate, erode, shrivel, dilute, mute, chip away... more
6
to remove a part of a computer document, especially in order to paste it into another place or document
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To use or program a computer: access, archive, author, back up, block, browse, burn, burn in, call up, capture... more
7
cut
or
cut off
to stop the supply of something, or to stop something working
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To stop something from continuing or developing: cut into, shut off, kill, kill off, hold back, interfere with, squeeze out, stamp out, suppress... more
8
to make something such as a piece of writing, a speech, a movie, or a broadcast shorter by removing parts from it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Editing, adapting and proofreading: adapt, append, bowdlerize, censor, compress, condense, cut, cut down, delete, dramatize... more
1. a.
  cut
  or
  cut out
  to remove parts from something such as a piece of writing, a speech, a movie, or a broadcast, especially because they are not suitable
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  Editing, adapting and proofreading: adapt, append, bowdlerize, censor, compress, condense, cut, cut down, delete, dramatize... more
9
to divide a set of playing cards into two piles
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To perform an action in a card game: bid, call, cut, deal, draw, lead, pass, raise, see, shuffle... more
10
to divide an area into two or more parts
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To separate an object or area into parts: take apart, take down, divide, break down, carve up, split, screen off, branch, disassemble... more
11
if a musician or band cuts a record, they record it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Playing, performing and arranging music: accompany, arrange, articulation, atmospherics, back, bang out, baton, beat out, blast, blast away... more
12
cut
or
cut across
to pass through or across something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To move through an area or object: cross, cut across, push, bulldoze, cut through, squeeze, cut, traverse, fight your way... more
13
cut
or
cut in line
American to take a place near the front of a line of people rather than going to the back
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To wait in a queue: line up, queue, cut, join a line, first come, first served, head, wait in/on line, stand in line, jump in line... more

phrases

cut and run
informal
to get out of a situation when it becomes too difficult or unpleasant
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To get out of a situation: escape, ride out, extricate, disentangle, claw your way out of something/to something/back etc., weather/ride the storm, cut and run, run away, make a getaway... more
cut both ways
if something cuts both ways, it has both good and bad aspects
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Partly good and partly bad: mixed, patchy, two-edged, spotty, mixed blessing, six of one, (and) half a dozen of the other, a double-edged/two-edged sword, work both ways, the rights and wrongs of something, cut both ways... more
cut a check
American
if a business cuts a check, it approves or writes it
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Cheques and using cheques: blank check, bounce, cash, cashier’s check, check, checkbook, check card, check stub, cheque, chequebook... more
cut the cheese
American
to fart
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Removing gas from the body: belch, belch, blow off, burp, burp, fart, fart, flatulence, flatulent, gas... more
cut class/school
American informal
to not go to class/school when you should be there
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Attendance and non-attendance at school or university: absence, absenteeism, attend, attendance, audit, board, drop out, enroll, enrollment, entrance... more
cut corners
to not do a job as thoroughly as you should, especially because you want to finish it quickly or save money
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To do something quickly and/or easily: hurry, hasten to do something, sail through, force through, gallop through, hurry up, not hang around, toss off, whiz through, zip through... more
cut someone dead
to pretend not to see or recognize someone that you know, or to refuse to talk to them
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To insult or offend someone: insult, offend, wound, shock, snub, speak/talk out of turn, step on someone’s toes, trade blows/insults, appal, affront... more
cut a deal
to make a business deal
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To do business and relating to doing business: account, asset, beauty parade, book, brokerage, broking, business, business plan, cannibalize, capacity... more
cut a fine/ridiculous etc. figure
literary
to look very attractive/silly etc.
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To be or look attractive: shine, tone, suit, coordinate, beckon, be someone’s type, be/look a picture, feel/look like a million dollars/bucks, catch someone’s fancy, cut a fine/ridiculous etc. figure... more
cut the ground from under someone’s feet
to spoil someone’s plans or achievements by doing something better than them or by doing it before them
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To do something before someone else: make the first move, be/stay one jump ahead (of someone), pinch-hit, steal a march on someone, preface, beat someone to the punch, go ahead, beat... more
cut it
informal
to be satisfactory or successful
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To be, or to become successful: thrive, prosper, succeed, win out, be a roaring success, be/get there, get ahead, achieve, flourish... more
cut it close
American informal
to give yourself only a very short amount of time to do something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To find, or to have enough time for something: have, find, spare, squeeze in, allow, put aside, fit in, find (the) time, have time on your hands... more
cut loose
informal
1. 1
  if someone cuts loose or is cut loose, they stop being influenced or controlled by someone
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  To not limit something, or to not be limited: loosen, leave someone to their own devices, be at liberty to do something, let something loose, cut loose, know no bounds, have something (all) to oneself, be rid of... more
2. 2
  informal to stop behaving in a controlled way and start having fun
  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
  To enjoy something, or to enjoy yourself: enjoy, like, delight in, go in for, get, drink in, revel in, love, have your fun, take/find pleasure in (doing) something... more
cut your losses
to get out of a bad situation before it gets worse instead of waiting to see whether it will improve
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To get out of a situation: escape, ride out, extricate, disentangle, claw your way out of something/to something/back etc., weather/ride the storm, cut and run, run away, make a getaway... more
cut no ice/not cut any ice (with someone)
to fail to impress or influence someone
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Capable or incapable of persuading someone: persuasive, convincing, unconvincing, smooth-talking, forcefulness, compelling, seductive, believable, carry conviction, cut no ice/not cut any ice (with someone)... more
cut your own throat
to behave in a way that causes serious harm or trouble for yourself
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To cause problems for yourself: store up, be your own worst enemy, be asking for something, asking for trouble, court, tempt fate/providence, do something once too often, overplay your hand, shoot yourself in the foot... more
cut someone short
to interrupt someone who is talking so that they cannot finish what they are saying
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To interrupt someone when they are talking: interrupt, intervene, break in, shout out, cut in, chime in, jump in, put in, interject, cut someone short... more
cut something short
to make something last for less time than planned
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To stop something from continuing or developing: cut into, shut off, kill, kill off, hold back, interfere with, squeeze out, stamp out, suppress... more
cut your teeth on something
to get your first experience in a particular job by doing something
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To start doing something new or different: strike out, change over, begin, branch out, break with, try your hand at something, change direction/course, turn your hand to something, give something a try, sample... more
cut to the chase
to start dealing with the most important aspect of something rather than things that are less relevant
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To try to deal with a problem or difficulty: deal with, tackle, combat, see about, handle, face, address, make the best of something, do something, take something on board... more
cut someone to the quick
to say or do something unkind that makes someone feel very upset
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To be cruel or unkind to someone: abuse, mistreat, oppress, trample, reject, hit out, grind down, shove around, kick around, do someone wrong... more
cut a tooth
if a child cuts a tooth, it starts to grow through the gum
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
To have or use teeth: bite, bite at, bite, champ, chatter, chew, chew up, chomp, crunch, gnaw... more
not cut the mustard
informal
to not be good enough
*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*
Not very good: suboptimal, poor, average, limited, inferior, disappointing, inadequate, undistinguished, substandard, unsatisfactory... more

phrasal verbs

These are synonyms and/or related words for cut in the American English Thesaurus. View synonyms and/or related words for cut in the British English Thesaurus.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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dray

a type of cart pulled by a horse and used in the past for carrying barrels of beer

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conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

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cut - thesaurus entry

What are red words?

Related thesaurus entries

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut

cut off

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut

cut out

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut

cut across

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut

cut in line

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

phrases

cut and run

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut both ways

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut a check

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut the cheese

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut class/school

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut corners

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut someone dead

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut a deal

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut a fine/ridiculous etc. figure

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut the ground from under someone’s feet

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut it

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut it close

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut loose

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut your losses

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut no ice/not cut any ice (with someone)

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut your own throat

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut someone short

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut something short

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut your teeth on something

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut to the chase

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut someone to the quick

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

cut a tooth

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

not cut the mustard

*American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut*

phrasal verbs

vocal fry

Word of the Day

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut

American English synonyms or related words for this sense of cut