Definition

1. Verb:
   • To reduce or limit something, often by removing a part of it: To make something shorter, smaller, or less than it was or was planned to be.
   • To impose a restriction on something: To place limits on an activity, right, or amount.

Usage

• The verb "curtail" is typically used with nouns referring to activities, rights, freedoms, time, or resources. It often implies an external force or decision causing the reduction.
• Common structures: "to curtail [something]" (e.g., curtail spending, curtail a visit).

Examples

• Verb:
  • The government decided to curtail public spending to reduce the deficit.
  • Bad weather forced us to curtail our hiking trip.
  • The new law will curtail the powers of the regulatory agency.

Advanced Usage

• "to curtail sharply/drastically/severe": To reduce something by a very significant amount.
  • Funding for the arts has been curtailed sharply.
• "to have one's freedom/powers curtailed": A common passive construction describing the limitation of rights or authority.
  • The king had his powers curtailed by the new constitution.

Variants and Related Words

• Curtailment (n): The action or fact of reducing or restricting something.
  • The curtailment of civil liberties is a serious concern.

Synonyms

• Reduce: To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
• Cut short: To end something before its natural or planned conclusion.
• Restrict: To limit the movement, actions, or availability of something.
• Trim: To reduce something slightly, often to make it more efficient.

Antonyms

• Extend: To make something longer or larger.
• Expand: To increase in size, number, or importance.
• Prolong: To make something last longer.

Related Phrases

• Curtail one's activities: To reduce or limit what one does.
  • After the injury, he had to curtail his activities for several weeks.

Verb

1. terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
   • My speech was cut short
   • Personal freedom is curtailed in many countries
2. place restrictions on
   • curtail drinking in school