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
Or is it shortened from OPSEC (Operations Security) SWAT team?
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
In 2020, the NCAA season was shortened to seven games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Kardashian styled the necklace differently, shortening the pearl chain significantly, and wearing it alongside a stack of jewels, including a six-strand pearl choker.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Harris's odds shortened from +150 to +120 at the bookmaker.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shorten 
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PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
In 2020, the NCAA season was shortened to seven games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Kardashian styled the necklace differently, shortening the pearl chain significantly, and wearing it alongside a stack of jewels, including a six-strand pearl choker.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
Harris's odds shortened from +150 to +120 at the bookmaker.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shorten
Dictionary Entries Near shorten
Cite this Entry
“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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