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 In the opposite cross (long maternal plus short paternal), telomeres shortened. New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, the European and Ukrainian vectors provide software, training, and export scaffolding that reduce risk and shorten learning curves. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025 Amazon is also testing its Prime Air drones to shorten delivery times. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 However, these can shorten their lifespan. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten
Verb
  • To reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus, health officials recommend using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Autos Are an Economic Anchor China’s bold move into electric vehicles began in 2009 as a top-down policy to compete with foreign automakers, cut air pollution and reduce oil imports.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Those closures would sharply curtail supplies of fuel not only for California motorists but for those in Nevada and Arizona, while threatening the ability of airlines and military installations to obtain fuel and probably increasing prices that are already among the nation’s highest.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Recent breakthroughs to curtail the obesity epidemic or combat cancer are prime examples that have made headlines.
    Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thereafter, however, knee injuries in 2022 and 2023 prevented him from walking off the field healthy in Week 18 — and then a biceps injury in 2024 truncated his season to just five games played.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Her figures are truncated and pushed over the edges of the frame, faces often obscured or composited.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The rest of the quintet — vocalist Dexter Holland, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn — then joined in for a rocking (yet, sadly, abbreviated) take on that same album’s legendary title track.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, which is abbreviated as mm Hg.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The First Amendment, which prevents the government from making laws that abridge freedom of expression, has regularly been found to broadly protect free speech when challenges reach the Supreme Court.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Mendez bypassed the plaintiffs’ contention that the measure unconstitutionally abridged free speech rights.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Drinking more water, increasing physical activity, eating potassium-rich foods, and cutting back on salt may improve excretion and potentially improve blood pressure.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Otherwise, the city could hire a contractor to cut back the vegetation at Lesesne’s expense or cite him for a misdemeanor.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shorten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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