shorten
[ shawr-tn ]
/ ˈʃɔr tn /
verb (used with object)
to reduce, decrease, take in, etc.: to shorten sail.
to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.
Sports.
choke(def 8).
verb (used without object)
SYNONYMS FOR shorten
1
condense,
lessen,
limit,
restrict.
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.
5 contract, lessen.
OTHER WORDS FROM shorten
Words nearby shorten
Example sentences from the Web for shorten
British Dictionary definitions for shorten
shorten
/ (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