Synonyms

shorten

American

[shawr-tn] / ˈʃɔr tn /

verb (used with object)

to make short or shorter.

Synonyms:

restrict, limit, lessen, condense
to reduce, decrease, take in, etc..

to shorten sail.
to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.
Sports. choke.

verb (used without object)

to become short or shorter.

Synonyms:

lessen, contract
(of odds) to decrease.

shorten British

/ ˈʃɔːtən /

verb

to make or become short or shorter
(tr) nautical to reduce the area of (sail)
(tr) to make (pastry, bread, etc) short, by adding butter or another fat
gambling to cause (the odds) to lessen or (of odds) to become less

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

Shorten, abbreviate, abridge, curtail mean to make shorter or briefer. Shorten is a general word meaning to make less in extent or duration: to shorten a dress, a prisoner's sentence. The other three terms suggest methods of shortening. To abbreviate is to make shorter by omission or contraction: to abbreviate a word. To abridge is to reduce in length or size by condensing, summarizing, and the like: to abridge a document. Curtail suggests deprivation and lack of completeness because of omitting some part: to curtail an explanation.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of shorten

First recorded in 1505–15; short + -en ¹

Vocabulary lists containing shorten

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He also thinks the new chair may shorten the postmeeting press conference and may reconsider whether to hold them after every meeting.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

If you’d rather stay on a train for longer and shorten your trip on the shuttle, then you can transfer to the K Line from Crenshaw Station toward LAX/Metro Transit Center.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Along with more money for counties and expanded voter education efforts, Romero suggested steps to shorten the California timeline for certifying results.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

A Lockheed spokeswoman said the company is working with the government and its suppliers to “eliminate bottlenecks and shorten lead times wherever possible, while still maintaining the rigorous performance and safety standards required.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The line moves pretty quickly, but it also doesn’t seem like it’s gonna shorten anytime soon.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023