ABBREVIATE Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'abbreviate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abbreviate are abridge , curtail , retrench , and shorten . While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part. // using an abbreviated title

Q: In what contexts can 'abridge' take the place of 'abbreviate'?

The synonyms abridge and abbreviate are sometimes interchangeable, but abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result. // the abridged version of the novel

Q: When would 'curtail' be a good substitute for 'abbreviate'?

While the synonyms curtail and abbreviate are close in meaning, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy. // ceremonies curtailed because of rain

Q: Where would 'retrench' be a reasonable alternative to 'abbreviate'?

In some situations, the words retrench and abbreviate are roughly equivalent. However, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive. // declining business forced the company to retrench

Q: When might 'shorten' be a better fit than 'abbreviate'?

The words shorten and abbreviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shorten implies reduction in length or duration. // shorten a speech

abbreviate

verb

ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt

Definition of abbreviate next

as in to shorten

to make less in extent or duration had to abbreviate his vacation in France in order to travel to Oslo to receive the Nobel Prize

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How is the word abbreviate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abbreviate are abridge, curtail, retrench, and shorten. While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

In what contexts can abridge take the place of abbreviate?

The synonyms abridge and abbreviate are sometimes interchangeable, but abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

When would curtail be a good substitute for abbreviate?

While the synonyms curtail and abbreviate are close in meaning, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

Where would retrench be a reasonable alternative to abbreviate?

In some situations, the words retrench and abbreviate are roughly equivalent. However, retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

When might shorten be a better fit than abbreviate?

The words shorten and abbreviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abbreviate The medical products maker’s legal fight over its premature infant formula looks more manageable after a trio of U.S. health agencies recently pushed back against claims that formulas like Abbott’s cause an intestinal illness commonly abbreviated as NEC. —

Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2024 There are always more animals to discover, many of them so small that they get lost in print reproductions and so abbreviated or notational as to be barely detectable, even when seen in person. —

Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024 So, the researchers diverged from the traditional method of combining a thermal absorber layer with a PV cell and combined a silicon solar cell with an innovative molecular solar thermal energy storage system, abbreviated to MOST. —

New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024 How Corporate Whistleblower Incentives Could Change D&O Insurance Policies As legal claims against businesses and their boards climb, directors and officers liability insurance, commonly abbreviated as D&O, has become a vital financial hedge for companies. —

Megan Poinski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abbreviate