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 But with Alonso at the helm, those odds will significantly shorten next season. Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 13 May 2025 During the first week, days will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., before being shortened to 3 p.m. in the following weeks. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025 Manufacturing: Instant prototyping through simple text prompts dramatically shortens product development cycles, reducing costs and accelerating innovation. Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 Scientists have learned that mother plants can take stock of environmental conditions and relay signals to developing seeds to prolong or shorten this dormancy. Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten
Verb
  • Another question has to do with the probiotics themselves: Can all probiotic supplements reduce negative feelings, or is there something specific about these nine bacteria included in the study?
    Simon Spichak, Health, 16 May 2025
  • In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Under Trump, border encounters with migrants have dropped dramatically amid tougher enforcement and drastically curtailed asylum and refugee programs.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Republicans also face unfavorable odds of curtailing a long-standing practice by nearly every state -- known as provider taxes -- through which states pay some of their share of Medicaid costs by taxing hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.
    Phil Galewitz, ABC News, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Another way of broadening the search is by truncating a term using an asterisk (*).
    Kristen Finch, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
  • My personal opinions on truncating an adventure into achievement alone probably aren’t really welcome in that commercial environment.
    Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • What Exactly Is the 'Color of the Year'? Trend-worthy, forward-thinking, beautiful, and livable—that’s how Kim describes the Color of the Year (often seen abbreviated as COTY).
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth traditionally held receptions for the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (abbreviated as the VC & GC Association) every four years, and the last such was held in May 2018.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Three firms have sued, arguing that the orders abridge constitutional rights to free speech, due process, and assistance of counsel.
    Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Establishing spheres of influence involves a dominant power abridging the sovereignty of geographically proximate states—as Trump is seeking to do with Canada, Greenland, and Mexico and as China is attempting with Taiwan.
    Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) significantly cut back on training for emergency managers ahead of hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • But multiple National Weather Service offices have cut back on balloon launches this spring because of staffing shortages.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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