shortens

VERB

diminish, decrease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abbreviate compress curtail cut cut back cut down lessen minimize reduce shrink slash trim

STRONG

abridge bob chop clip condense contract dock edit elide excerpt lop retrench snip

WEAK

blue pencil boil down cut to the bone make a long story short put in a nutshell

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen raise strengthen stretch

WEAK

amplify elongate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

shortens

The high number of climbers has rekindled concerns about overcrowding on the mountain -- especially if poor weather shortens the climbing window.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

That means they will be hoping to come to an agreement with Red Bull that shortens that timeframe.

From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026

The Kharg Island mission might make sense if it strikes a decisive blow that shortens the war and secures America’s strategic interest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

Houston thrives when it shortens the field and avoids asking the offense to sustain long drives.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025

Going downhill, she shortens her step, keeps centered, not leaning forward.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes