Synonyms for abbreviation

17 synonyms
7 antonyms

noun

Most common

short-cut role activity diagram compend abbreviature

All synonyms

Noun

contraction, abstract, summary, epitome, reduction, shortening, compression, short-cut, condensation, curtailment, role activity diagram, compend, abridgment US, abridgement UK, abbreviature, compendium, conspectus

Antonyms

extension, expansion, enlargement

All antonyms of abbreviation →

Definitions

n. 1
The result of shortening or reducing; abridgment.

Forms

Plural: abbreviations → contractions, abstracts, summaries, epitomes…

Choose the right word

Abbreviation, Contraction or Abridgment?

An abbreviation is a shortening by any method; a contraction is a reduction of size by the drawing together of the parts. Abbreviation and contraction are used of words and phrases, abridgment of books, paragraphs, sentences, etc.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
abbreviation		steady
compend		falling
abbreviature		steady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

7 letters: summary³, epitome⁴, compend
8 letters: abstract²
9 letters: reduction³
10 letters: shortening³, compendium⁴, abridgment, conspectus
11 letters: compression³, contraction³, curtailment³, abridgement³
12 letters: condensation⁴, abbreviature

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (summary³ = 3 syllables).

In other languages

Français: abréviation
Italiano: abbreviazione
Español: abreviación
Deutsch: Verkürzung
Català: abreviatura