as in reduces
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
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Recent Examples of shortens
This especially fresh status delivers a milder, smooth flavor but also shortens its shelf life.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
This approach reduces labor costs and shortens resale cycles.
—Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Every cut to the CDC, every withdrawal from WHO, every concession to anti-science populism shortens lives — not only in Chicago, Harlem and Houston but also in Lagos, Caracas, Mumbai, Gaza and Nairobi.
—Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Inflation raises the value of assets at risk, and when climate change shortens the return period between extreme events, recovery periods shrink until the economics of rebuilding no longer add up.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
To prevent the Toy Hauler from stretching too long, Hardkorr shortens up the aluminum camper box in comparison to its pure camper trailers.
—New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2025
As many people well know, using screens at night delays bedtime, shortens sleep duration, and worsens sleep quality; phones can disrupt rest just by being in the same room, Lauren Hale, a professor studying sleep at Stony Brook Medicine, told me.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
While this shortens the timeline for training, Kober said these officers likely won't hit the streets until April 2026.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
Soil splashed onto lower foliage and stems makes your vase water muddy, which inhibits water uptake by the flowers and shortens their life.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
This approach reduces labor costs and shortens resale cycles.
—Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Every cut to the CDC, every withdrawal from WHO, every concession to anti-science populism shortens lives — not only in Chicago, Harlem and Houston but also in Lagos, Caracas, Mumbai, Gaza and Nairobi.
—Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Inflation raises the value of assets at risk, and when climate change shortens the return period between extreme events, recovery periods shrink until the economics of rebuilding no longer add up.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
To prevent the Toy Hauler from stretching too long, Hardkorr shortens up the aluminum camper box in comparison to its pure camper trailers.
—New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2025
As many people well know, using screens at night delays bedtime, shortens sleep duration, and worsens sleep quality; phones can disrupt rest just by being in the same room, Lauren Hale, a professor studying sleep at Stony Brook Medicine, told me.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
While this shortens the timeline for training, Kober said these officers likely won't hit the streets until April 2026.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
Soil splashed onto lower foliage and stems makes your vase water muddy, which inhibits water uptake by the flowers and shortens their life.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortens
Verb
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Encouraging young adults to take on progressively larger responsibilities — whether through part-time work, volunteering or managing household duties — builds competence and reduces fear.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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This reduces the chance that graphic or violent content slips into your feed.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His minority interest in the Raiders presents a clear conflict of interest that at least subconsciously likely curtails his willingness to criticize, at least to an extent.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But if your branding was clearer, stronger and more emotionally resonant, your LTV could be double, while your CAC decreases.—
Erik Huberman,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Johnston said his budget plans for zero overall growth in revenue and added that unless Denver's income actually decreases, there won't be any more layoffs next year.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortens. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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