curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.
ceremonies curtailed because of rain
abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.
using an abbreviated title
abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.
the abridged version of the novel
retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.
declining business forced the company to retrench
Example Sentences
The new laws are an effort to curtail illegal drug use. School activities are being curtailed due to a lack of funds.
Recent Examples on the WebSince taking office, President Biden has ramped up previous U.S. administrations’ efforts to curtail Chinese expansion into the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has rallied countries such as India and Australia to help in that effort. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 Plus, food prices are largely unaffected by current government efforts to curtail spiraling costs. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022 But efforts to curtail China’s science and technology industries through trade sanctions on companies like Huawei restrict American companies from doing business with Chinese tech firms. Tommy Shih, The Conversation, 13 July 2022 Across the country, almost all government efforts to curtail the coronavirus have evaporated. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 27 June 2022 The unusual provision shows how much power the gun lobby has wielded in the nation’s statehouses to fend off any efforts to curtail access to firearms in the wake of mass shootings.Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2022 Efforts to curtail the spread of corporate homeownership are slow going at the federal level, too.New York Times, 23 Apr. 2022 Environmentalists are challenging the proposal, saying adding fossil fuel-burning facilities would undermine efforts to curtail greenhouse gases warming the planet. Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2022 Now Act, which would dramatically accelerate efforts around the state to curtail use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scott Dance, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
by folk etymology from earlier curtal to dock an animal's tail, from curtal, noun, animal with a docked tail, from Middle French courtault — more at curtal