as in shortening
to make less in extent or duration
the library's hours have been drastically abridged to cut costs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 abridging
Advertisement The Fifteenth Amendment had prohibited denying or abridging voting rights based on race, color, or conditions of previous servitude.
—
Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abridging
Verb
-
But Fishman and Redford are far more interested in whiz-bang filters and digital effects, distractions to appeal to short-form entertainment devotees, which had the ironic side effect of wildly shortening my interest.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Most of the speakers said the solution to lengthy meetings is to meet more often, as the commissioners used to, not shortening the number of times public commenters can sign up.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This ruling had a massive impact on low-income neighborhoods, which were suddenly subjected to a separate system of law, curtailing residents’ rights more sharply than their wealthier, whiter counterparts’.—
Emily Galvin Almanza,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Parallel talks resumed in Geneva aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear program and finalizing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but analysts held out little hope of lasting progress in either.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abridging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abridging. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
