Synonyms of shortening

shortening 1 of 2

noun

as in abbreviation

Related Words

• abbreviation
• curtailment
• contracting
• contraction
• squeezing
• compression
• condensing
• abridgment
• compaction
• constriction
• consolidation
• telescoping
• concentration
• compacting
• streamlining
• squeeze
• condensation
• decreasing
• constricting
• simplification
• lessening
• diminishment

Dissimilar Words

• expansion
• dispersion
• scattering
• dissipation
• decompression
• inflation
• swelling
• dilation
• distension

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

• reducing
• abbreviating
• truncating
• curtailing
• abridging
• trimming
• decreasing
• cutting back
• eliding
• docking
• compressing
• syncopating
• modifying
• summarizing
• cutting
• encapsulating
• recapitulating
• abstracting
• digesting
• cutting down
• paring
• pruning
• diminishing
• lowering
• summing up
• contracting
• tapering
• slashing
• shrinking
• epitomizing
• lessening
• downsizing
• constricting
• dwindling
• moderating
• retrenching
• subtracting (from)
• deflating
• abating
• de-escalating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lengthening
• extending
• prolonging
• expanding
• increasing
• enlarging
• supplementing
• adding
• elongating
• maximizing
• augmenting
• protracting
• raising
• escalating
• amplifying
• boosting
• heightening
• swelling
• dilating
• inflating
• blowing up
• ballooning
• aggrandizing
• pumping up
• distending

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shortening

Noun

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

Woodhall was born with fibula hemimelia, a shortening or nonexistence of the fibula bone, and his parents decided to have his legs amputated when the future Paralympian was 11 months old. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

That means investing in durable foundations such as data, architecture, governance and security; shortening planning cycles; and being willing to stop funding initiatives that no longer create differentiated value. — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Some of them have had to ration fuel, while others enacted emergency measures like shortening the work or school week to reduce fuel use. — Greg Pollock, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026