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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in abridgement
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shortening
Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Jones asserted that exigent circumstances warranted the shortening of the 15-day notice window.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
These quick highlights also align with ever-shortening attention spans.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Verb
Cook with healthy oils instead of butter or shortening.
—Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Jones asserted that exigent circumstances warranted the shortening of the 15-day notice window.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
On top of the loud, grating sound that ensues, these uneven roads can cause undue stress on your bag’s wheels and axles, shortening their lifespan in the process.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
These quick highlights also align with ever-shortening attention spans.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortening
Verb
-
The findings have led to the development of potential medical treatments that scientists hope could cure autoimmune diseases, the committee said, as well as providing more effective cancer treatments and reducing complications after stem cell and organ transplants.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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Research has shown the benefits of exercise in mitigating the effects of aging by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The first two abbreviations are easy enough to understand.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Joshua Jahn wrote using an abbreviation for armor-piercing, according to the FBI.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In past shutdowns, that has led to the closures of hundreds of national parks and museums, the curtailment of veterans' services, the suspension of health inspections, the postponement of immigration hearings and a slew of other impacts.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
26 Sep. 2025
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His administration also introduced stricter measures curtailing the participation of members who pursued gender-affirming medical treatments or changed their names, pronouns, or dress, a decision that drew criticism for marginalizing transgender members.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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The United States thus retains an abiding interest in curtailing nuclear proliferation.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nichole Atallah, a partner who specializes in labor and government contracting at the law firm PilieroMazza, said the general rule is that contract workers aren’t made whole after a shutdown.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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At the meeting, school board member Danny Espino proposed contracting with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, based in Tallahassee, which uses administrative law judges to hear challenges to traffic citations virtually.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Magnesium plays a role in muscle contractions that may contribute to cramping.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
2 Oct. 2025
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The contraction — the company also notched a monthly sales decline in September, unlike other large Chinese EV brands — comes as BYD slashed its sales goal for the year.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those savings could come from trimming what the government pays insurers to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs or by reducing Medicare payments to doctors.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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Best Christmas Tree Decoration Deals Bring some Christmas spirit to every branch by trimming your tree with these decorations.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortening. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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