Synonyms for Shorten & Similar Words
Definition of shorten
- verb
- make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; "He shortened his trip due to illness"
- reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened"
- make short or shorter; "shorten the skirt"; "shorten the rope by a few inches"
9 synonyms found
Writing tips for "shorten"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like abbreviate, abridge, bowdlerise can replace "shorten" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 9 alternatives available, "shorten" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Shorten" in song lyrics
See how shorten is used in real songs:
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"doubt my lifestyle's important and when I'm broke it starts to shorten"
X-Raided & Kingpen f/ C-Lim, T-Nutty — Repercussions -
"wilson magazine springs shorten"
AOL — AOL