shortening 1 of 2

noun

Definition of shorteningnext
as in abbreviation

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shortening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shorten
as in reducing
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shortening
Noun
This cooling should result in Mercury shrinking in a roughly uniform way, and that would make these shortening structures common across the planet. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The turnaround plan has largely been successful in shortening wait times, simplifying the menus, reversing the sales slump, and focusing on the brand's return to a coffeehouse community hub. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
Lead times may be shortening across the market, with smaller rentals often booking only a few weeks ahead and larger homes tending to attract reservations somewhat earlier. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 Addressing the situation after the Tigers secured their 63-14 win, Kiffin explained that shortening a game isn't a part of the standard within his program. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortening
  1. abbreviation
  2. reducing
  3. curtailment
  4. abbreviating
  5. contracting
  6. truncating
  7. contraction
  8. curtailing
Noun
  • But in the Pentagon’s email system, Kollitides’ name now carries an abbreviation signifying he has been designated an HQE, or highly qualified expert.
    — Aaron Davis, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The second is a partial abbreviation in the answer, which is TP-ED — as in, toilet-papered a house.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of abbreviation
Verb
  • While serving as a public health official, el Sayed wrote an op-ed in 2019 strongly supporting the Green New Deal, arguing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help improve public health.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of reducing
Noun
  • Such environmental waivers are not arbitrary decisions but legal mechanisms, ordered by local authorities, to prevent grid instability, for example when loss of wind generation would be exacerbated by curtailment of thermal plants.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • This can reduce the strain on the electric grid and help prevent the need for involuntary power curtailment or power brownouts, Holran notes.
    — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Definition of curtailment
Verb
  • But by the time Forrest reaches age 10, when dogs become eligible for Loyal’s pill, those defenses will more often misfire and fail to stop not just cancer but also other life-abbreviating ailments.
    — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
  • Edo also followed Prince William and Kate Middleton's lead with the sweet sign off for his latest social post by abbreviating the children's first names with their initials to send an online message.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Definition of abbreviating
Noun
  • Poems are distillations into presence wherein now exists in blood flowing through veins, in muscles contracting and releasing, in joints flexing and extending, in this inhale, in this foot strike against the pavement, in this sigh.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Rankin said the board is specifically focused on avoiding conflicts of interest in contracting, strengthening workplace culture, establishing procedures for staff to raise concerns and reviewing how vacancies and reassignments are addressed.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of contracting
Verb
  • When the vintage Danish armchairs arrived, their legs were exposed, says Moser, and Shetty pointed out that on screen, this had the effect of truncating guests’ legs.
    — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Phillies are truncating his outings — his max pitch count has been 70 — to extend his season longer.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of truncating
Noun
  • Potassium supports fluid balance and muscle contraction and is part of an eating pattern associated with healthy blood pressure.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Flex your calves often Weight-bearing physical activity of any sort supports blood flow in the legs because of how muscular contractions help the veins push blood toward the heart, Jimenez said.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of contraction
Verb
  • Has the time come for the Dodgers to consider curtailing his pitching?
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The latest move by Taipei — a central node in global semiconductor manufacturing — is a significant step in curtailing black market sales to Chinese companies seeking to bypass US curbs.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of curtailing

Browse Nearby Words

shortened
shortening
shortenings
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Cite this Entry

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

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