The term REDUCES BY CUTTING can be summarized by two crossword solutions: PARES (5 letters) and PRUNES (6 letters). PARES means to reduce or diminish something by cutting away parts, while PRUNES means to trim or cut away excess parts. Both terms are commonly used in gardening and landscaping, where plants are trimmed and pruned to maintain their shape and health. In other contexts, the terms can also refer to reducing something by cutting away parts, such as reducing a budget by cutting away certain expenses.