Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

curtail

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of curtail

to make less in extent or duration

  • curtailed the school day because of the stormy weather
Synonyms of curtail

abbreviate, abridge, cut back, dock, elide, shorten, syncopate, truncate
Words Related to curtail

abstract, digest, encapsulate, epitomize, recapitulate, summarize, sum up

abate, compress, constrict, contract, cut, cut down, pare, prune, trim

decrease, de-escalate, deflate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, moderate, modify, reduce, retrench, shrink, slash, subtract (from), taper
Near Antonyms of curtail

enlarge, expand, supplement

add, aggrandize, amplify, augment, balloon, boost, dilate, escalate, heighten, increase, maximize, pump up, raise

blow up, distend, inflate, swell
Antonyms of curtail

elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract

Synonym Discussion of curtail

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

Learn More about curtail

  1. See words that rhyme with curtail Dictionary: Definition of curtail Spanish Central: Translation of curtail Nglish: Translation of curtail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of curtail for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up curtail? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games