What are some opposite words for lengthen?
Antonyms for lengthen
ˈlɛŋk θən, ˈlɛŋ-, ˈlɛn-length·en
This page is about all possible antonyms and opposite words for the term lengthen.
English Synonyms and Antonyms
lengthen
To protract is to cause to occupy a longer time than is usual, expected, or desirable. We defer a negotiation which we are slow to enter upon; we protract a negotiation which we are slow to conclude; delay may be used of any stage in the proceedings; we may delay a person as well as an action, but defer and protract are not used of persons. Elongate is not used of actions or abstractions, but only of material objects or extension in space; protract is very rarely used of concrete objects or extension in space; we elongate a line, protract a discussion. Protract has usually an unfavorable sense, implying that the matter referred to is already unduly long, or would be so if longer continued; continue is neutral, applying equally to the desirable or the undesirable. Postpone implies a definite intention to resume, as defer also does, though less decidedly; both are often used with some definite limitation of time; as, to postpone till, until, or to a certain day or hour. One may defer, delay, or postpone a matter intelligently and for good reason; he procrastinates through indolence and irresolution. Compare HINDER.
Antonyms:
abbreviate, abridge, conclude, contract, curtail, hasten, hurry, limit, reduce, shortenSynonyms:
continue, defer, delay, draw out, elongate, extend, postpone, procrastinate, prolong, protractPreposition:
To protract a speech by verbosity, through an unreasonable time, to, till, or until a late hour.
Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms
lengthen
Synonyms:
elongate, stretch out, prolong
Princeton's WordNet
Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated Words
Editors Contribution
excerpt
i decided to lengthen my essay so it was more elaborate.
Submitted by rinat on October 3, 2019
How to use lengthen in a sentence?
Despite my serious reservations, I will reluctantly vote against a motion of disapproval because I believe that doing so will protect the credibility of the United States to hold Iran accountable to adhere to every single obligation in the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], having talked to the technical experts who will be involved with the implementation of this agreement, I have come to the conclusion that its many overlapping provisions will make it exceedingly difficult for the Iranians to build a nuclear weapon in the short term and will lengthen the time required should they choose to break their commitments and try to build one in the future.
The waves s' lengthen on the beach; Your hair on your back of an Angel. (Les vagues s’allongent sur la plage; Tes cheveux sur ton dos d’ange. )
Atlanta OB-GYN Dr. Katherine Babaliaros:
You make hormones that allow your joints to become lax during pregnancy to help the pelvis accommodate the baby and allow you to deliver, but it also causes the arches of your feet to fall and the foot to lengthen between 2 and 10 millimeters.
The Grocery Store Method: I want you to think of it like this: Everytime you adopt a child you shorten the checkout line and your one step closer to world peace, and everytime you have a biological child you lengthen the checkout line and your one step farther from world peace.
Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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"lengthen." Synonyms.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 12 Feb. 2025. <https://www.synonyms.com/antonyms/lengthen>.
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