Cut back a bit

Latest answer — October 07, 2026

40 Across

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A gardener cutting back the edge of a hedge with shears

Clue explainedFact checked

To trim something is to cut it back a little; “trimmed” is the past-tense form, as in trimming a hedge or shortening a haircut.

Clue type:
Definition

NYT Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, October 07, 2026 appearance

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The answer to “Cut back a bit” in the New York Times crossword is TRIMMED — a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 7, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 40-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Cut back a bit” answer

TRIMMED (7 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is TRIMMED.

What does TRIMMED mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of TRIMMED is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(verb)

  • make (something) neat or of the required size or form by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts
  • decorate (something), typically with contrasting items or pieces of material
  • adjust (a sail) to take advantage of the wind

When else has “Cut back a bit” appeared?

New York Times reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

October 7, 2026 (most recent) → TRIMMED. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Cut back a bit”?

The answer is TRIMMED, a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 7, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Cut back a bit”?

7 letters: TRIMMED.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 7, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 40-Across.

Can “Cut back a bit” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for October 7, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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