retrench

verb

Definition of retrenchnext
as in to reduce
formal to change the way things are done in order to spend less money When the economy slowed, the company was forced to retrench.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word retrench different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of retrench are abbreviate, abridge, curtail, and shorten. While all these words mean "to reduce in extent," retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

When is abbreviate a more appropriate choice than retrench?

While in some cases nearly identical to retrench, abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

When is it sensible to use abridge instead of retrench?

The words abridge and retrench can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When can curtail be used instead of retrench?

In some situations, the words curtail and retrench are roughly equivalent. However, curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

When could shorten be used to replace retrench?

The words shorten and retrench are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retrench Other banks are retrenching, too, as customers rely increasingly heavily on digital banking. —David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025 According to recent reports, Berkshire Hathaway is now sitting on a pile of $334 billion in cash as the company has retrenched from stocks over the past couple of years. —Kevin Williams, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025 Lyft's early misfortune was partnering with AV companies that folded or retrenched, including Argo AI and Motional. —Joann Muller, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025 As the North Korean regime started to retrench after Kim Jong Un took the reins, the engagement tapered off. —Rodney W. Nichols, Foreign Affairs, 25 June 2015 See All Example Sentences for retrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench
  1. reduce
  2. cut
  3. slash
  4. pare
  5. shrink
  6. curtail
  7. truncate
  8. decrease
Verb
  • The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fires in the area.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Keeping yourself hydrated and reducing your salt intake may also help reduce bloating and help your body rid itself of excess fluid. Types of Creatine Several types of creatine are used in supplements.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more than 80% of all USAID grants were being permanently cut.
    — Violet Ikong, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Those scenes were ultimately cut for space before the show ever started production, so Mazin resurrected the idea for Season 2.
    — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The Trump administration wants to significantly cut NASA’s budget next year, slashing science research funding in half, a reduction that would halt the launch of a high-tech space telescope and curtail other planetary exploration missions.
    — George Petras, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Nimmo is slashing mere .202/.253/.381 this season, but Sunday’s heroics could be a sign of changing fortune.
    — James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of slash
Verb
  • The Boston Globe | Getty Images Europe’s Stoxx Healthcare index was 4.4% lower at 10:02 a.m. in London on Wednesday, paring earlier losses but still trading low enough to lead the regional equity sell-off.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid,Sawdah Bhaimiya,Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • At the same time, Irvine Company is paring down its downtown holdings.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of pare
Verb
  • These sprays shrink the blood vessels in your nasal passages.
    — Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
  • And this isn’t just a method to shrink your waistline: The pros at Buchinger say that fasting is able to improve your quality of life both now and in the future, acting as a safeguard against aging.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • Friendship is robbed of its expansiveness and curtailed.
    — Priya Vulchi, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • One huge question is whether the tariff shock will force the U.S. into a recession, as businesses face deep uncertainty and consumers consider curtailing personal spending.
    — Niall Stanage, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of curtail
Verb
  • All four players had fond memories of the tournament, with Dostál offering a bit of good-natured ribbing toward Pastrnak and recalling not only his triumph of 2024 but his first experience in 2022, when his tournament was truncated by an injury.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025
  • However, there is no compelling reason to believe that truncating the number of neurons is an optimal strategy.
    — Sam Mugel, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of truncate
Verb
  • On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of decrease

Browse Nearby Words

retreats (from)
retrench
retrenched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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