shorten

short·en

verb \ˈshȯr-t^ən\

short·enedshort·en·ing \ˈshȯrt-niŋ, ˈshȯr-t^ən-iŋ\

Definition of SHORTEN

transitive verb

1

a : to reduce the length or duration of

b : to cause to seem short

2

a : to reduce in power or efficiency <is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem — Isa 50:2(Revised Standard Version)>

b obsolete : to deprive of effect

3

: to add fat to (as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter

— short·en·er \ˈshȯrt-nər, ˈshȯr-t^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of SHORTEN

1. shorten a pair of pants
2. He had to shorten the speech.
3. “Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”

First Known Use of SHORTEN

14th century

Related to SHORTEN

Synonyms

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut back, dock, elide, syncopate, truncate

Antonyms

elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract

Related Words

abstract, digest, encapsulate, epitomize, recapitulate, summarize, sum up; abate, compress, constrict, contract, cut, cut down, pare, prune, trim; decrease, de-escalate, deflate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, moderate, modify, reduce, retrench, shrink, slash, subtract (from), taper

Near Antonyms

enlarge, expand, supplement; add, aggrandize, amplify, augment, balloon, boost, dilate, escalate, heighten, increase, maximize, pump up, raise; blow up, distend, inflate, swell

Synonym Discussion of SHORTEN

shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent. shorten implies reduction in length or duration <shorten a speech>. curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy <ceremonies curtailed because of rain>. abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part <using an abbreviated title>. abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result <the abridged version of the novel>. retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive <declining business forced the company to retrench>.

Rhymes with SHORTEN

quartan