curtail

[ker-teyl]

curtail Definition

• 1. to cut short or reduce something
• 2. to limit or restrict something

Using curtail: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "curtail" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The company had to curtail its production due to the shortage of raw materials.

• Example

  The government has curtailed our freedom of speech.

• Example

  We had to curtail our vacation because of the bad weather.

curtail Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for curtail

• abbreviate
• truncate
• shorten
• diminish
• cut back

Antonyms for curtail

• extend
• prolong
• increase
• expand

Phrases with curtail

• curtail one's losses

  to reduce the amount of money that is lost in a situation

  Example

  He decided to sell his stocks to curtail his losses.

• curtail someone's rights

  to limit or restrict someone's rights or freedoms

  Example

  The new law curtails the rights of citizens to protest.

• curtail someone's power

  to reduce or limit someone's authority or influence

  Example

  The board of directors decided to curtail the CEO's power after the scandal.

Origins of curtail

from Middle English 'curtailen', meaning 'to cut short'

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Summary: curtail in Brief

The verb 'curtail' [ker-teyl] means to cut short or reduce something, or to limit or restrict something. It can be used in various contexts such as production, freedom of speech, and vacation. Examples include 'The company had to curtail its production due to the shortage of raw materials.' and 'The government has curtailed our freedom of speech.'