curtail

What does “curtail” mean?

verb.to reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on.

SAT Usage

the term is often used in contexts involving policy changes, budget reductions, or limitations on behavior. It emphasizes a deliberate and often strategic limitation, suggesting that the reduction is not merely accidental but rather a conscious choice to restrict or decrease something, distinguishing it from synonyms like "reduce," which may lack this connotation of intentionality.

Common Confusions

Curtail implies a deliberate restriction or reduction, while diminish usually suggests a more passive or natural decrease without the connotation of intentionality.

Example Sentences

• Curtailing horses procured long horse-hair.

• When the audience grew restless, the speaker curtailed her speech.

• In an effort to curtail expenses, the company implemented a series of budget cuts that affected staff hours and reduced project funding.