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 powder will dry the rash in a way that wiping can’t do, shortening its life cycle. Lauren Silbert, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 There are several habits that can shorten the life of your dishwasher. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025 Both vehicles offer 800-volt/350 kWh fast-charging capability to shorten stops. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025 This may shorten or extend the time magnesium stays in your system. Trang Tran, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten
Verb
  • Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The unitary executive theory suggests that such limits wrongly curtail the powers of the chief executive.
    Graham G. Dodds, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Many activists and journalists were imprisoned, press freedoms curtailed, organizations disbanded, and the Umbrella Movement was thoroughly crushed.
    Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 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
  • That’s a tactic city financers used on several other bond projects as well, said Molly Scarbrough, a deputy program manager for the Denver GO Bond Program, which abbreviates general obligation bond.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The Qin Plus remains one of BYD’s best-selling models, and the move follows a series of similar discounts earlier in September for the Tang DM-i, Seal 07 DM-i, and Qin L EV, as well as a broader round of price cuts back in May.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Sentiment has been weak this year, but Americans haven’t cut back on their spending.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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