as in abbreviation
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in reducing
to make less in extent or duration
we decided to shorten the distance we had to walk home by cutting across the neighbor's lawn if Grandma has to go shopping today, you'll need to shorten your visit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shortening
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.
—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
In May, the Nasdaq adjusted its rules to allow for the faster inclusion of mega IPOs like SpaceX into the Nasdaq 100, shortening the window to 15 days from three months before eligibility for inclusion.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Noun
Made with a combination of peanut butter, butter, and shortening, these cookies are crisp and golden on the outside with a tender, moist interior.
—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.
—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Verb
The team believes the approach could provide chip designers with a platform for predicting transistor performance and scaling limits before fabrication begins, potentially shortening development cycles for future AI and high-performance computing chips.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
In May, the Nasdaq adjusted its rules to allow for the faster inclusion of mega IPOs like SpaceX into the Nasdaq 100, shortening the window to 15 days from three months before eligibility for inclusion.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortening
Noun
-
The abbreviation dates to the early 20th century, and the spelling emcee emerged as the spoken form became a standalone noun and verb, meaning to host or present an event.
-
Rod Stewart recently had trouble breathing on stage Richie's concert abbreviation comes days after another music icon appeared to struggle on stage.
Verb
-
This lifts the hull out of the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag and minimizing wake generation.
-
On Tuesday, Uzbekistan was soundly thrashed by Portugal 5-0 — significantly reducing the country's chances to qualify for the next round of play in this World Cup, the first ever for a Central Asian nation.
Noun
-
Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.
-
In exchange for the curtailment of some freedoms, the people submit to an authority, thereby gaining protection and security.
Verb
-
But by the time Forrest reaches age 10, when dogs become eligible for Loyal’s pill, those defenses will more often misfire and fail to stop not just cancer but also other life-abbreviating ailments.
-
Edo also followed Prince William and Kate Middleton's lead with the sweet sign off for his latest social post by abbreviating the children's first names with their initials to send an online message.
Noun
-
The cost of the pool renovation has risen to $16 million, federal contracting records show.
-
If your area gets cold in the winter, store it to keep the resin from contracting and expanding and becoming weaker.
Verb
-
Those who show up late or not at all get removal orders, further truncating the already limited due process available to immigrants.
-
After three years of closures that shuttered different sections of Highway 1, truncating the 100-mile drive between Carmel and Cambria, the area has seen a surge in tourism that officials want to ensure doesn’t overrun the area.
Noun
-
Europe is a pain point thanks to local consumer fatigue, a contraction in Middle Eastern tourism caused by the war — the Gulf consumer base contracted 15% to 25% in Q1 2026 — and reduced US tourism due to a strong euro, reducing pricing advantages in travel shopping.
-
Why sell during a market contraction for ultra-contemporary works?
Verb
-
And, even if Díaz-Canel again invited Cubans abroad to invest in the country and promised a new legal framework to protect investments, Cuba’s repressive laws curtailing citizen rights, including property rights, are still in place.
-
California has a goal to enhance road safety, and lawmakers are interested in potentially curtailing dangerous vehicle sizes.
Cite this Entry
“Shortening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortening. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
