Synonyms of abbreviate

abbreviate

verb

ə-ˈbrē-vē-ˌāt 

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

• shorten
• truncate
• abridge
• reduce
• curtail
• elide
• cut back
• summarize
• dock
• syncopate
• trim
• decrease
• recapitulate
• encapsulate
• modify
• compress
• abstract
• epitomize
• digest
• sum up
• pare
• cut down
• cut
• prune
• constrict
• slash
• diminish
• shrink
• retrench
• abate
• downsize
• lessen
• moderate
• taper
• contract
• dwindle
• subtract (from)
• deflate
• lower
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen
• prolong
• elongate
• expand
• add
• increase
• enlarge
• supplement
• maximize
• augment
• protract
• amplify
• raise
• dilate
• heighten
• boost
• escalate
• swell
• inflate
• aggrandize
• blow up
• pump up
• balloon
• distend

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples of abbreviate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, the researchers diverged from the traditional method of combining a thermal absorber layer with a PV cell and combined a silicon solar cell with an innovative molecular solar thermal energy storage system, abbreviated to MOST. —New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024

How Corporate Whistleblower Incentives Could Change D&O Insurance Policies As legal claims against businesses and their boards climb, directors and officers liability insurance, commonly abbreviated as D&O, has become a vital financial hedge for companies. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Married at First Sight UK—abbreviated as MAFSUK—is the British version of the American TV show of the same name. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 23 Sep. 2024

As reported, the house is aiming for global expansion on multiple fronts, having synced up its fashion and fragrance businesses and abbreviated its name from Paco Rabanne to Rabanne. —Miles Socha, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024

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