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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shorten
Polysulfides dissolve and migrate, which degrades battery performance and shortens its lifespan.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
After noticing that more people were commuting by bicycle, designers tweaked the brand’s windproof jacket, shortening its length and tightening the sleeves to prevent air from blowing up a rider’s arms.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Several previous stages of the race held before Sunday had been shortened or changed because of similar protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
But Roberts said his expectation is that the Dodgers will lean on their starters to go deeper in the postseason and not be shortened up intentionally.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
After noticing that more people were commuting by bicycle, designers tweaked the brand’s windproof jacket, shortening its length and tightening the sleeves to prevent air from blowing up a rider’s arms.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Several previous stages of the race held before Sunday had been shortened or changed because of similar protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
But Roberts said his expectation is that the Dodgers will lean on their starters to go deeper in the postseason and not be shortened up intentionally.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorten
Verb
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The researchers believe that the benefit likely comes from aspirin acting in several ways – by reducing inflammation and inhibiting platelet function and tumor growth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Sep. 2025
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In 2016, court filings indicate Gamez Lira was charged with possession of marijuana but ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after the charges were reduced.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Increasingly, the result is that personal responsibility has been curtailed, especially in government.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws to curtail reckless riding and address other unsafe use of e-bikes, officials said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thereafter, however, knee injuries in 2022 and 2023 prevented him from walking off the field healthy in Week 18 — and then a biceps injury in 2024 truncated his season to just five games played.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
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Her figures are truncated and pushed over the edges of the frame, faces often obscured or composited.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rest of the quintet — vocalist Dexter Holland, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn — then joined in for a rocking (yet, sadly, abbreviated) take on that same album’s legendary title track.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
31 Aug. 2025
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Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, which is abbreviated as mm Hg.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The First Amendment, which prevents the government from making laws that abridge freedom of expression, has regularly been found to broadly protect free speech when challenges reach the Supreme Court.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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Mendez bypassed the plaintiffs’ contention that the measure unconstitutionally abridged free speech rights.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Speaking of heat, cut back on the hot sauce if this is a little too much for your tastes.—
Mary Claire Britton,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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Just as in 2025, P&G’s last venture to cut back was prompted by a slowdown in its sales.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorten. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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