curtails
Reduces in scope
Curtails means reduces or limits something, cutting it short of its full extent.
A budget crisis curtails spending.
Bad weather curtails outdoor activities.
The word suggests trimming back rather than eliminating entirely: The new regulations curtailed our ability to expand.
Places limits upon
- constrainsLimits or confines
- limitsImposed maximum points
- inhibitsSlows or prevents action
- suppressesActively prevents expression
checks · curbs · hampers · hinders · impedes · obstructs · stifles · thwarts
Makes less in quantity
- diminishesBecomes smaller or weaker
- decreasesGrows smaller in amount
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
- cutsSevers or reduces
limits · shrinks · minimizes · contracts · dwindles · downsizes · depletes · slashes
restricts
Places limits upon
- constrainsLimits or confines
- limitsImposed maximum points
- inhibitsSlows or prevents action
suppresses · checks · curbs · hampers · hinders · impedes · obstructs · stifles · thwarts · blocks
reduces
Makes less in quantity
- diminishesBecomes smaller or weaker
- decreasesGrows smaller in amount
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
cuts · limits · shrinks · minimizes · contracts · dwindles · downsizes · depletes · slashes · trims
shortens
Reduces in length
- truncatesCuts off abruptly
- abbreviatesShortens a word
- abridgesShortens by omission
condenses · cuts short · clips · prunes · trims · crops · docks · lops · shears · snips
controls
Operates or regulates
restrains · bridles · tempers · moderates · disciplines · reins in · holds back · subdues · contains · suppresses
- cuts offdisconnects, severs, detaches, unplugs, shuts off
curtailsgrants
Awarded funds for purposes
encourages · promotes · facilitates · enables · permits