abridge

verb

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\ ə-ˈbrij

abridged; abridging

Definition of abridge

transitive verb

1 : to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense : condense abridge a novel an abridged dictionary

2 : to shorten in duration or extent Tess wished to abridge her visit as much as possible …— Thomas Hardy

3 formal : to reduce in scope : diminish attempts to abridge the right of free speech

4 archaic : deprive

Other Words from abridge Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about abridge

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Choose the Right Synonym for abridge

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 abridge in a Sentence

abridge a dictionary by omitting rare words the library's hours have been drastically abridged to cut costs

Recent Examples on the Web To many of Zuckerberg’s critics, however, the First Amendment—which prohibits the government from abridging free speech—has nothing at all to do with a corporation like Facebook. — Wired, "How Facebook Gets the First Amendment Backward," 7 Nov. 2019 The result was an international hit, which did well even in the United States, where a dubbed and abridged version won an Oscar. — Noel Murray, latimes.com, "New video: ‘Transit’ is another provocative thriller from director Christian Petzold," 28 June 2019 That amendment had a clause that finally said: State laws (in addition to federal laws) can’t abridge the rights of U.S. citizens. — Lillian Cunningham, Washington Post, "Episode 16 of the Constitutional podcast: ‘The First Amendment’," 29 Jan. 2018 The task fell to James Shapiro, a Columbia University English professor and Shakespeare scholar who is known for his work abridging the Bard’s plays. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Philip Roth’s ‘Plot’ Thickens With Marathon Reading," 21 Oct. 2018 Frazier added that Cruz is looking to find ways to prosecute those who buy guns illegally, address mental health issues and make sure crimes are reported to the NICS database without abridging the Second Amendment. — Jonathan Allen, NBC News, "Cruz caught in election-year bind on gun control," 5 Mar. 2018 Their civil rights are being abridged, but the tensions are so high people aren’t finding a lot of support. — Teresa Watanabestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Is it police work or racial profiling? U.S. crackdown puts Chinese scholars on edge," 22 July 2019 The task fell to James Shapiro, a Columbia University English professor and Shakespeare scholar who is known for his work abridging the Bard’s plays. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Philip Roth’s ‘Plot’ Thickens With Marathon Reading," 21 Oct. 2018 For example, the Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, and the feds should certainly shoot down any state law that abridges that right. — WSJ, "Federal Incursion Explains Growth of Double Jeopardy," 13 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abridge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Abridge.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abridges. Accessed 21 November 2019.

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More Definitions for abridge

abridge

verb

\ ə-ˈbrij

abridged; abridging

Kids Definition of abridge

: to shorten by leaving out some parts abridge a dictionary

abridge

transitive verb

\ ə-ˈbrij

abridged; abridging

Legal Definition of abridge

: to diminish or reduce in scope no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States — U.S. Constitution amend. XIV

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