Synonym Chooser

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

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

shorten a speech

When might abbreviate be a better fit than shorten?

The words abbreviate and shorten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

Where would abridge be a reasonable alternative to shorten?

While in some cases nearly identical to shorten, 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 is curtail a more appropriate choice than shorten?

Although the words curtail and shorten have much in common, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

When would retrench be a good substitute for shorten?

The meanings of retrench and shorten largely overlap; however, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

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 shorten The extension through 2030 provides the sport extended labor peace since the last lockout in 2012-13, which shortened that season to 48 games. Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 Two games are being added to to the regular season, the maximum length of contracts players can sign is being shortened and a salary cap will be implemented in the playoffs for the first time, two people told The Associated Press on Thursday. Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025 That included Jacob being a major proponent of the cinema experience as the Hollywood majors debated shortening the theatrical window and even going straight to their emerging streaming platforms with movie releases amid the pandemic. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025 They were tied with an even-par 180 after nine holes (shortened due to the extreme heat) on Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday and Thursday. Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten
Verb
  • Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • To reduce background noise when making phone calls or joining in with a video meeting, Headphone (1) has a 4-microphone ENC system that’s backed up by AI.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • China controls 90% of the world’s most powerful rare-earth magnets, and Ford Motor recently had to curtail some production due to a magnet shortage.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • Privatization would likely narrow the reach of the U.S.P.S., to say nothing of curtailing its affordability, especially for rural customers like those Grant served in Appalachia.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s a cool, if truncated, car chase in which AMELIA treats humans like roadblocks, flinging us into traffic by freezing scooters and releasing cash from sidewalk ATMs.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • In time, Shahn worried that his imagination was truncated by photography, or that people thought as much.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Copyright is the subject of entire college courses, so keep in mind the following is heavily abbreviated.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Mistress was abbreviated as Ms. So those who object to Ms. being too new a term are quite wrong.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • In the summer heat, the foliage usually dies back, and it is recommended to cut back the stems at that point.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called CalFresh in the state, also may have to cut back.
    David Lightman Updated July 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shorten

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