abbreviate

verb

ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt How to pronounce abbreviate (audio)
Definition of abbreviatenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Example 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 But by the time Forrest reaches age 10, when dogs become eligible for Loyal’s pill, those defenses will more often misfire and fail to stop not just cancer but also other life-abbreviating ailments. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 The next year, Mourning was traded to the New Jersey Nets, but health concerns abbreviated his stint before he was dealt to the Toronto Raptors for Vince Carter. — James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2026 The association, abbreviated as WVMA, applied to modify its conditional use permit to accommodate its dawn, night and Ramadan prayers throughout the year. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 6 May 2026 The bill calls for the implementation of aircraft detection lighting systems, sometimes abbreviated as ADLS, which the Federal Aviation Administration describes as obstruction lights that turn on when a primary radar detects approaching aircraft. — Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abbreviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abbreviate
shorten
Verb
  • Preventive care reduces avoidable emergency department visits and shortens hospital stays, allowing health systems to focus resources on patients who need the most complex care.
    — Russell Cox, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Sconset, which is actually shortened from its full name Siasconset, is the neighborhood on the east side of Nantucket.
    — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of shorten

Browse Nearby Words

abbots
abbreviate
abbreviated
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“Abbreviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abbreviate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abbreviate

Nglish: Translation of abbreviate for Spanish Speakers

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