shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯr-tᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ

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 redeemIsaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
b
obsolete : to deprive of effect
3
: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter
shortener
ˈshȯrt-nər How to pronounce shorten (audio)
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-ər
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of shorten in a Sentence

shorten a pair of pants He had to shorten the speech. “Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”
Recent Examples on the Web This innovative design shortens Kokomo’s 28.5-foot draft when the keel is fully extended, to just 15 feet for shallow waters. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 But an animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says that while shortening the hunting season is a step in the right direction, banning coyote hunting altogether is a better solution. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 The six months of labor action in Hollywood last summer and fall led to a host of network series having to shorten their seasons, with premieres four to five months later than their usual fall spots. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Purchasing products from online stores continues to become easier as new services are created to shorten the time between clicking the check-out button and receiving a confirmation that your product has been bought. Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Decision cycles will shorten as countries adopt AI and automation to reduce the time to find, identify, and strike enemy targets. Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 The Senate bill would shorten the time between violations from five years to one year, change the criminal punishment to be a third-degree felony and would increase the fine limits to no less than $2,500 and no more than $4,000. Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Britt Reid, the son of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, has had his DUI sentence shortened three years after severely injuring a young girl in a car crash. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Law firms with lengthy multi-name titles frequently get shortened to just the first name in their title. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shorten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorten was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near shorten

Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shorten

verb
short·​en ˈshȯrt-ᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
shortener
-nər How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shorten

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