SHORTHAND Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

shorthand

noun

Definition of shorthand

as in stenography

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 shorthand West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire The decadent, Italianate architecture of West Wycombe Park provided the right visual shorthand for the immense wealth and rigid social standing of the Ferrars family. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, the minivan became shorthand for surrendering to suburban family life. — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The flaming tower is part of a component most often known in Russian by the acronym ELOU-AVT, shorthand for an Electric Desalting and Atmospheric-Vacuum Distillation Unit. — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Faster thinking is cheaper, and the pressure to think quickly forces AIs towards using shorthand that is harder for humans to follow. — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shorthand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shorthand

Noun

Beginning in the late 19th century, the office also produced a new gender division of labor, as more of the repetitive work—typing, filing, stenography—fell to a secretarial class of women with limited prospects for advancement.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Anyone could learn to use the machine in two weeks or less, compared to months or years to master stenography.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Jan. 2026

Definition of stenography

Noun

Traditionally, court reporters have used 22-key steno machines to rapidly take down every word said by lawyers, judges and anyone else who speaks on the record during an official proceeding.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Angie worked in the Justice Building under Attorney General Robert Kennedy and did steno and typing.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Definition of steno

Browse Nearby Words

shortfalls

shorthand

shorthands

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shorthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shorthand. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shorthand

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on shorthand

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes