The term TRIMS BACK is composed of three crossword solutions: PARES (5 letters), REDUCES (7 letters), and CLIPS (5 letters). PARES means to cut off or remove the outer layer or surface of something, REDUCES means to make something smaller or less in amount, and CLIPS means to cut off or remove a part of something. Together, these words indicate an action of cutting back or reducing something, such as trimming a hedge or pruning a tree.