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Definitions

shorten

[shawr-tn] / ˈʃɔr tn /
VERB
diminish, decrease
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abbreviate compress curtail cut cut back cut down lessen minimize reduce shrink slash trim
STRONG
abridge bob chop clip condense contract dock edit elide excerpt lop retrench snip
WEAK
blue pencil boil down cut to the bone make a long story short put in a nutshell
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen raise strengthen stretch
WEAK
amplify elongate

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.

Both have express tees that shorten them to less than 5,000 yards, and the family golf program allows children under 15 to play free.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

They plan to shorten waits for gynaecology care, have fewer painful procedures without informed consent or pain relief choices, and provide easier access to contraception.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Eccentric exercise focuses on the phase when muscles lengthen rather than shorten.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

There was a machinery working to shorten his punishment.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Aunt Consuelo said the yellow dress was a little long, but that they shouldn’t shorten it because Lupita might still grow.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

Vocabulary lists containing shorten

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