abridge

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abridge different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abridge are abbreviate, curtail, retrench, and shorten. While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," 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

When might abbreviate be a better fit than abridge?

The words abbreviate and abridge can be used in similar contexts, but abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

When would curtail be a good substitute for abridge?

The meanings of curtail and abridge largely overlap; however, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

When could retrench be used to replace abridge?

While in some cases nearly identical to abridge, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

When is it sensible to use shorten instead of abridge?

The words shorten and abridge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abridge Fair Districts amendments voters added to the Florida Constitution in 2010 also said boundaries should not be drawn in a way that abridged the opportunity of minority voters to elect representatives. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025 Other law firms, such as Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, have challenged the administration’s orders and petitioned federal courts to bar enforcement of these orders that, in their view, are retaliatory in nature and abridge their right to free speech and engage freely in the practice of law. Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 The Old Globe San Diego, California Dates: June 8 to July 6, 2025, and July 27 to August 24, 2025 Modeled after the Old Globe in London, the Old Globe’s theater was built in San Diego’s Balboa Park in 1935 to present abridged Shakespeare during the California Pacific International Exposition. Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025 Note some answers have been abridged for space and clarity. Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for abridge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abridge
Verb
  • Sam's Club previously had shortened hours on Sunday.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Just last month, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was shortened to 18 holes due to severe thunderstorms, ultimately leading to its cancellation.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The other non-negotiable is that Colorado will not further curtail its use of the Colorado River without major concessions from California and Arizona.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Decades of conservation action have mainly focused on protecting nesting females and their eggs and curtailing trade and the unsustainable harvest of turtles and their eggs.
    Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abridge. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on abridge

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