Abbreviate

Abbreviate  [uh-bree-vee-eyt]

Verb 

- shorten (esp. a word, phrase or text)
- to make briefer, esp to reduce to a shorter form representing the whole

Synonyms:

shorten, abridge, curtail, syncopate, truncate

Usage:

1. Research and development is commonly abbreviated to R&D
2. Please donot use abbreviations while answering your English paper

Antonyms:

elongate, expand, extend, lengthen