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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This enables continuous charging and reduces the need for large onboard batteries.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Such a reading of the law at the center of the case could provide Trump an opening -- along with other tariffs that have not been challenged in court -- to continue his global-trotting mission to reshape trade imbalances, even if the high court curtails his broad tariff power.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
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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
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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Nobody was questioning it when Salah produced arguably his best season for the club to spearhead Liverpool’s title charge, but when the output decreases and opponents see that flank as a weakness, perceptions change.—
The Athletic's Liverpool staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Towing capacity decreases 1,000 pounds to, 4,000 pounds.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortens. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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