as in abbreviation
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as in reducing
to make less in extent or duration
we decided to shorten the distance we had to walk home by cutting across the neighbor's lawn if Grandma has to go shopping today, you'll need to shorten your visit
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shortening
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
With homes starting in the mid-$500,000s, the development offers features such as EV charging, private patio options, and quick access to both Boulder and Denver—shortening commutes and giving parents more time at home.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
To attend the 1983 Oscars, Jamie Lee Curtis wore a vintage bugle bead dress designed by Jean Louis and given to her by Marlene Dietrich (reports differ on how much altering was done to it, probably shortening the hemline and the sleeves, according to Christie's at the time the dress was sold).
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Noun
This shortening interval raises fears that human experts may end up merely approving recommendations generated by algorithms.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
With homes starting in the mid-$500,000s, the development offers features such as EV charging, private patio options, and quick access to both Boulder and Denver—shortening commutes and giving parents more time at home.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Once opened, air exposure and cross-contamination from utensils can introduce moisture and bacteria, shortening their shelf life.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
To attend the 1983 Oscars, Jamie Lee Curtis wore a vintage bugle bead dress designed by Jean Louis and given to her by Marlene Dietrich (reports differ on how much altering was done to it, probably shortening the hemline and the sleeves, according to Christie's at the time the dress was sold).
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortening
Noun
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The party is an Iranian-Kurdish nationalist separatist group known by the local abbreviation PAK.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The abbreviation served as camouflage.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By influencing two metabolic pathways, both medications may similarly improve blood sugar control while also reducing appetite.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The management plan outlines when and how those curtailments occur.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Feb. 2026
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Its resurgence has raised concerns among minorities and women workers who fear a potential curtailment of women’s rights if conservative elements gain influence.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Edo also followed Prince William and Kate Middleton's lead with the sweet sign off for his latest social post by abbreviating the children's first names with their initials to send an online message.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In a Friday letter to trustees, adviser Luz Cazares wrote that contracting with HYA was inconsistent with the district’s financial recovery.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Acquisition officials warned at the time that the policy risked slowing down routine purchasing and urgent buys alike, especially during DHS's busiest contracting period.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There is a sense that industry contraction, rather than killing creativity, may be forcing the business to sharpen its focus.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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Besides causing building foundations to crack and roadways to heave, the expansion and contraction can cause pipes to disconnect, and the pipe couplings that an Atmos predecessor installed are not resistant to pulling out, the board found.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The closing of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic and attacks on energy sites across the Gulf are curtailing supplies and driving up the prices of key global commodities.—
Robert Tuttle,
Bloomberg,
20 Mar. 2026
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The consumer protection agencies most equipped to fight fraud, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, whose budget was nearly halved, have seen massive funding and staff cuts, curtailing their ability to enforce rules and actively target scammers.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Concacaf is not the only confederation squeezing games into FIFA windows around the club calendar.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortening. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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