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
The platform’s integration of Makera CAM and machine control shortens the operational path, while its mobile-friendly UI ensures smooth operation from anywhere.
—
New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether arriving early shortens my wait depends on when others choose to arrive, and if all tourists follow the same internet advice and arrive an hour early, the lines at opening may be the longest of the day.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Beyond nutrition, the EUSD Farm to School program also reduces packaging waste, shortens food miles and donates surplus produce to local food banks and community resource centers.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
Such heat shortens the parasite’s incubation time inside mosquitoes, increasing the odds of transmission.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
And while vitamin C is essential for immune function, the evidence is mixed on whether taking Emergen-C shortens the length and severity of colds.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Our approach reduces waste, shortens lead times and removes the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Allowing a layer of gunk to grow on weather stripping also shortens its lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Every time a cell divides, the telomere shortens.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Whether arriving early shortens my wait depends on when others choose to arrive, and if all tourists follow the same internet advice and arrive an hour early, the lines at opening may be the longest of the day.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Beyond nutrition, the EUSD Farm to School program also reduces packaging waste, shortens food miles and donates surplus produce to local food banks and community resource centers.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
Such heat shortens the parasite’s incubation time inside mosquitoes, increasing the odds of transmission.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
And while vitamin C is essential for immune function, the evidence is mixed on whether taking Emergen-C shortens the length and severity of colds.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Our approach reduces waste, shortens lead times and removes the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
Allowing a layer of gunk to grow on weather stripping also shortens its lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Every time a cell divides, the telomere shortens.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortens
Verb
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According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cold water reduces those problems for all your clothes and linens, giving them a longer lifespan.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Where To Stay in Martin County With a strict ban on buildings over four stories, the Treasure Coast curtails the kind of over development that can choke out some Florida beach towns.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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That curtails with previous reporting from Fortune showing how high housing costs and other life expenses have forced Gen Z and millennials to delay the American Dream.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
Verb
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That’s important because your power naturally and rapidly decreases as you age, Booker says.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
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For instance, frequently reloading a gun before the ammo counter hits zero will present a Flaw called Overprepared, which increases each gun’s magazine size but temporarily decreases a character’s damage output if a gun does reach zero ammo before a reload.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortens. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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