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
There may be other ways to cut costs rather than shorten the guest list, particularly if your fiance feels his family members might feel slighted if they aren’t invited.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024
That lead shortened against President Joe Biden in 2020, when Trump won by 1.3 percent.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
With the exception of the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Alonso, 30, has hit 30 or more home runs in each year of his six year, big league career.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Coat with nonstick cooking spray or grease using shortening; set aside.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shorten 
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Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024
That lead shortened against President Joe Biden in 2020, when Trump won by 1.3 percent.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
With the exception of the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Alonso, 30, has hit 30 or more home runs in each year of his six year, big league career.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Coat with nonstick cooking spray or grease using shortening; set aside.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 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 1 Dec. 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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