Lessen vs. Shorten — What's the Difference?

To make less; reduce.

To make short or shorter.

(Archaic) To make little of; belittle.

To reduce in force, efficacy, or intensity.

To become less; decrease

To add shortening to (dough) so as to make flaky.

(transitive) To make less; to diminish; to reduce.

(Nautical) To take in (a sail, sails, or part of a sail) so that less canvas is exposed to the wind, thereby reducing speed

(intransitive) To become less.

To become short or shorter.

Unless.

(transitive) To make shorter; to abbreviate.

To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune.

(intransitive) To become shorter.

To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as, the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened.

(transitive) To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).

Decrease in size, extent, or range;

(transitive) To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.

Make smaller;

(transitive) To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.

Wear off or die down;

To take in the slack of (a rope).

To reduce (sail) by taking it in.

To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.

To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contract; as, to shorten work, an allowance of food, etc.

To make deficient (as to); to deprive; - with of.

To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like.

To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.

Make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration;

Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements;

Make short or shorter;

Become short or shorter;

Edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate;