scale back

VERB

downsize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail cut back cut down diminish phase out reduce retrench scale down shrink trim

STRONG

cut decrease deduct

WEAK

phase down roll back roll down step down trim away tune down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong

STRONG

add raise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even before the U.S. intervention this January ended oil shipments to Cuba, Venezuela’s economic distress drove Caracas to scale back its support.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

But in recent weeks, the US has been pressing Israel to scale back its campaign to allow room for a wider deal with Iran, which has demanded that it also cover the conflict in Lebanon.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Instead, they appear to scale back their visual capabilities once they no longer need to search for animals from the air.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Victoria’s Secret and Pink have started to show share gains even as they scale back on promotions, he noted.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

I tried to put the scale back together as best I could, managing to at least fit all the parts back inside and pound the frame back into a rough semblance of its previous shape.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

scale back

Example Sentences

Related Words