Reduce
Reduce verb - To make smaller in amount, volume, or extent.
Usage example: you'll have to reduce the amount of money you spend on unnecessary purchases if you want to have any money left for retirement
Shorten is a synonym for reduce in increase topic. In some cases you can use "Shorten" instead a verb "Reduce", when it comes to topics like lessen, diminish, decrease, shrink. popular alternative
Shorten
Shorten verb - To make less in extent or duration.
Usage example: if Grandma has to go shopping today, you'll need to shorten your visit
Reduce is a synonym for shorten in diminish topic. You can use "Reduce" instead a verb "Shorten", if it concerns topics such as cut, increase, abbreviate, cut down. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- This engine tuning will typically shorten the lifespan of the engine due to extra stress, and likely also reduce fuel efficiency.
Cite this Source
Shorten and Reduce. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/reduce/shorten
Reduce & Shorten. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/reduce/shorten>.
Shorten or Reduce. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/reduce/shorten.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "reduce" and "shorten" have occurred on timeline