General verbs:
* Shorten: To make something shorter.
* Abbreviate: To shorten a word or phrase.
* Truncate: To cut off or shorten something abruptly.
More specific verbs:
* Curtail: To reduce or limit something.
* Condenser: To make something shorter and more concise.
* Clip: To cut something short.
Examples:
* Shorten: "Please shorten your speech."
* Abbreviate: "We can abbreviate the name to 'J.S.'"
* Curtail: "The company will curtail production."
* Condenser: "He condensed the long report into a brief summary."
The best verb to use will depend on the specific meaning you want to convey.