SHORTEN Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'shorten' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shorten are abbreviate , abridge , curtail , and retrench . While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," shorten implies reduction in length or duration. // shorten a speech

Q: When might 'abbreviate' be a better fit than 'shorten'?

The words abbreviate and shorten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part. // using an abbreviated title

Q: Where would 'abridge' be a reasonable alternative to 'shorten'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shorten , 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

Q: When is 'curtail' a more appropriate choice than 'shorten'?

Although the words curtail and shorten have much in common, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy. // ceremonies curtailed because of rain

Q: When would 'retrench' be a good substitute for 'shorten'?

The meanings of retrench and shorten largely overlap; however, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive. // declining business forced the company to retrench

shorten

verb

ˈshȯr-tᵊn

Definition of shorten

as in to reduce

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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How is the word shorten different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shorten are abbreviate, abridge, curtail, and retrench. While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

When might abbreviate be a better fit than shorten?

The words abbreviate and shorten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

Where would abridge be a reasonable alternative to shorten?

While in some cases nearly identical to shorten, 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

When is curtail a more appropriate choice than shorten?

Although the words curtail and shorten have much in common, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

When would retrench be a good substitute for shorten?

The meanings of retrench and shorten largely overlap; however, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of shorten The push to shorten Atlas build times comes as humanoid robotics companies increasingly focus on manufacturing scale. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 As an investor at Point72, the hedge fund of billionaire Steve Cohen, Shaffer watched Wall Street turn private fund shares into digital tokens without shortening investors’ waits to cash out. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 The mission definitely succeeded, shortening the little asteroid's orbit around a larger rock called Didymos by about 33 minutes. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Mattingly, 65, will take the reins ahead of the 2027 season, which could be at risk of being delayed or shortened pending negotiations of MLB's collective bargaining agreement, CBS Sports reports. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shorten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten

Verb

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Formal rites for the dying, already limited, were further truncated or skipped entirely.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
The Hulu reality series is currently filming Season 6 after Season 5 was truncated due to Paul’s domestic violence claims from her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of truncate

Verb

The playoffs will conclude an eventful 2026 season fans at one point worried would either be abbreviated or eliminated entirely by labor strife.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2026
High-dynamic range High-dynamic range, which is often abbreviated as HDR in product specs, dramatically improves the color and contrast of a TV.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of abbreviate

Verb

Buying Al Nassr would put RedBird at the center of Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar sports expansion, which had been on a tear before the government began cutting back on spending.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
That means choosing potassium-rich foods that support healthy blood pressure, like lentils and leafy greens, while cutting back on others that cardiologists recommend limiting.

— Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut back

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shorted

shorten

shortened

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“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shorten

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