abridge

American  

[uh-brij] / əˈbrɪdʒ /

verb (used with object)

abridged, abridging

1. to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents.

   to abridge a reference book.

   Synonyms:

   epitomize, summarize, digest, abstract, condense

   Antonyms:

   lengthen

2. to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge one's freedom.

   to abridge a visit;

   to abridge one's freedom.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, contract

   Antonyms:

   expand

3. to deprive; cut off.

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abridge British  

/ əˈbrɪdʒ /

verb

1. to reduce the length of (a written work) by condensing or rewriting

2. to curtail; diminish

3. archaic to deprive of (privileges, rights, etc)

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Related Words

See shorten.

Other Word Forms

• abridgable adjective
• abridgeable adjective
• abridger noun
• nonabridgable adjective
• reabridge verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of abridge

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English abreggen, abriggen, from Middle French abreg(i)er, from Late Latin abbreviāre “to shorten”; a- ⁴, abbreviate

Example Sentences

“And taxpayer funds should never be given to third parties with the intent that they be used to censor lawful speech or abridge the freedom of the press.”

From Washington Times

Such efforts are compatible with the First Amendment because they increase, rather than abridge, freedom of speech and press, and because they echo government actions long underway.

From Seattle Times

Her biography could be abridged to one word: “And.”

From Washington Post

Four appear in the same production: an abridged holiday version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

From New York Times

Healy said while adjudicators normally go through 18 months of training, they have instead been going through abridged preparations of several weeks to focus on a specific type of issue or part of the process.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• abbreviate
• curtail
• truncate