CURTAIL Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of curtail are abbreviate , abridge , retrench , and shorten . While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy. // ceremonies curtailed because of rain

Q: When is 'abbreviate' a more appropriate choice than 'curtail'?

The synonyms abbreviate and curtail are sometimes interchangeable, but abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part. // using an abbreviated title

Q: Where would 'abridge' be a reasonable alternative to 'curtail'?

The words abridge and curtail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 might 'retrench' be a better fit than 'curtail'?

The words retrench and curtail can be used in similar contexts, but retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive. // declining business forced the company to retrench

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

The meanings of shorten and curtail largely overlap; however, shorten implies reduction in length or duration. // shorten a speech

curtail

verb

(ˌ)kər-ˈtāl

Definition of curtail

as in to shorten

to make less in extent or duration curtailed the school day because of the stormy weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of curtail are abbreviate, abridge, retrench, and shorten. While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

When is abbreviate a more appropriate choice than curtail?

The synonyms abbreviate and curtail are sometimes interchangeable, but abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

Where would abridge be a reasonable alternative to curtail?

The words abridge and curtail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 might retrench be a better fit than curtail?

The words retrench and curtail can be used in similar contexts, but retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

When would shorten be a good substitute for curtail?

The meanings of shorten and curtail largely overlap; however, 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 curtail Right-leaning lawmakers have also expressed their wish to curtail individual rulings from Supreme Court justices, who have often suspended laws, issued sweeping injunctions and made high-impact orders without the authorization of the full bench. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Within the next few days, lawmakers would stop the effort to curtail spending on vouchers. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 Zelensky also repeated that the Ukrainian military’s access to the Starlink system to guide its short-range and battlefield drones was still curtailed. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 The latest move by Taipei — a central node in global semiconductor manufacturing — is a significant step in curtailing black market sales to Chinese companies seeking to bypass US curbs. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curtail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for curtail

shorten

Verb

This position causes the moonlight to pass through a denser layer of air, shortening blue and violet wavelengths and making the orange and red ones stand out — similar to a sunset.

— Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
With many drivers conserving fuel to shorten their first green-flag pit stop, Buescher, Preece and Keselowski broke from the pack with laps that were 10 seconds faster.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of shorten

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curt

curtail

curtailed

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“Curtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curtail. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of curtail

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