shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ 
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to reduce the length or duration of
b
: to cause to seem short
2
a
: to reduce in power or efficiency
is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem—
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
b
obsolete
: to deprive of effect
3
: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky
: to become short or shorter
Synonyms
Examples of shorten in a Sentence
shorten a pair of pants
He had to shorten the speech.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”
Recent Examples on the Web
The shop recently shortened its hours to close at 2 p.m. Other nearby locations close at 7.
—Savanna Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
This interview with Butler has been shortened for clarity and brevity.
—Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
In addition to shortening the extension to two years, the Republican holdouts once again pushed for a bipartisan amendment that would require intelligence officers to obtain a warrant before accessing Americans’ data.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
That way hikers can shorten their poles when climbing uphill and lengthen them going downhill to maintain the ergonomic benefits.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
One review concluded that more than five drinks a week might shorten your life span.14
A Quick Review
The healthiest types of wine range from red wines to white wines.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Late blooms are more susceptible to warm weather, which shortens the bloom period.
—Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Brian Blase, a White House adviser during the Trump administration, said shortening the duration of short-term plans will create headaches for middle-class Americans who rely on this type of insurance.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
For people who already do strength training, challenging your muscles might look like lifting heavier weights, shortening rest periods, or increasing the number of reps.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Savanna Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024
This interview with Butler has been shortened for clarity and brevity.
—Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
In addition to shortening the extension to two years, the Republican holdouts once again pushed for a bipartisan amendment that would require intelligence officers to obtain a warrant before accessing Americans’ data.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
That way hikers can shorten their poles when climbing uphill and lengthen them going downhill to maintain the ergonomic benefits.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
One review concluded that more than five drinks a week might shorten your life span.14
A Quick Review
The healthiest types of wine range from red wines to white wines.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Late blooms are more susceptible to warm weather, which shortens the bloom period.
—Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Brian Blase, a White House adviser during the Trump administration, said shortening the duration of short-term plans will create headaches for middle-class Americans who rely on this type of insurance.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
For people who already do strength training, challenging your muscles might look like lifting heavier weights, shortening rest periods, or increasing the number of reps.
—Donavyn Coffey, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shorten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of shorten was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near shorten
Cite this Entry
“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
shorten
verb
short·en
ˈshȯrt-ᵊn
shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
More from Merriam-Webster on shorten
Nglish: Translation of shorten for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shorten for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share