shorten

verb

short·​en ˈshȯr-tᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of shortennext

transitive verb

1
a
: to reduce the length or duration of
b
: to cause to seem short
2
a
: to reduce in power or efficiency
Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?—Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
b
obsolete : to deprive of effect
3
: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter
shortener
ˈshȯrt-nər, 
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-ər How to pronounce shorten (audio)
noun

Synonyms of shorten

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shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent.

shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Examples of shorten in a Sentence

shorten a pair of pants He had to shorten the speech. “Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their average life span is about 8,000 hours, but turning them on and off frequently shortens this time frame. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026 Operationally, Geraghty is prioritizing domestic production to shorten lead times. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Some breeds are deliberately selected for traits that shorten life. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Some breeds have also been shaped for traits that quietly shorten their lives. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shorten

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorten was in the 14th century

Rhymes for shorten

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Browse Nearby Words

short-eared owl
shorten
short end
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Cite this Entry

“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shorten

verb
short·​en ˈshȯrt-ᵊn How to pronounce shorten (audio)
shortened; shortening ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
shortener
-nər How to pronounce shorten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun
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