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”; see a- ⁴, abbreviate

Explanation

So the editor wants to cut your epic 800-page history of the stapler to a 150-page summary instead. Don't cry — he just wants to abridge your masterpiece, trimming it down to the more readable essential elements. Synonymous with abbreviate, condense and cut short, abridge comes from the Latin word abreviare, which means "to shorten." Although it's usually used in reference to wordy texts, one can also abridge or shorten a piece of clothing; a miniskirt is just an abridged version of the old floor length hoop skirt, for example. But abridging something isn't always good: If your civil rights are abridged, they've been lessened in some way.

Example Sentences

Thus, the majority in Mahmoud contends that storybooks like Uncle Bobby’s Wedding abridge free exercise by exerting a “coercive pressure” that undermines the plaintiffs’ ability to raise their children as they wish.

From Slate • Jul. 1, 2025

In televised remarks before the cabinet session, Netanyahu said it was "unthinkable" that the government would abridge the right to demonstrate or support any violence against protesters.

From Reuters • Jul. 9, 2023

Green, a Republican, told the Daily Press that he’s “certainly not going to abridge free speech” on a boat owner’s theme.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2021

The 15th Amendment said that neither the United States nor "any state" could deny or abridge the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

From Salon • May 22, 2021

“Listen, you guys published a book just after World War I. Do you think it might be a good idea for me to abridge it and we’d republish it now?”

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

Related Words

• abbreviate
• curtail
• truncate