Synonyms for Shorten (same or very similar meaning)
WordNet sense 1 (reduce in scope while retaining essential elements):
abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce, contractWordNet sense 2 (edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate):
bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate, bowdleriseFrom the ODE community, based on WordNetadd/edit