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.
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Recent Examples of retrench
Super Micro Computer is in growth mode at a time when some tech companies have retrenched in the Bay Area, while others are seeking larger new office spaces.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Guatemala became the third Latin American government to declare a state of emergency to combat gang violence, as the region retrenches around security.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
For his part, Tinkov has taken a few years to retrench and is newly visible in 2025, recently emerging as a backer of Plata, a Mexican fintech led by former Tinkoff Bank executives.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
If the United States further retrenches from Colombia, Beijing will seek to deepen its influence.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrench
George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Guatemala became the third Latin American government to declare a state of emergency to combat gang violence, as the region retrenches around security.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026
For his part, Tinkov has taken a few years to retrench and is newly visible in 2025, recently emerging as a backer of Plata, a Mexican fintech led by former Tinkoff Bank executives.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
If the United States further retrenches from Colombia, Beijing will seek to deepen its influence.
—Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench
Verb
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Protective styles like low buns or braids can also reduce frizz throughout the day.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In her tenure, Colorado has taken major steps to increase price transparency, reduce hospital and prescription drug costs, and hold the health care industry accountable.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Medical experts say if a rattlesnake bites, keep the area still, at or below heart level, do not apply ice, do not cut the wound, and do not suck out the venom – and seek help immediately.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Aztecs were within nine points late in the first half against Michigan and had a 3 rattle out that would have cut it to six before getting their doors blown off 94-54, their most lopsided defeat of the 21st century.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The other cost-slashing option that is seldom practiced is the simulcast in which the radio network broadcasts the TV announcers, a path the Dallas Stars have preferred for decades.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lawmakers pared back the idea through the amendment process in February, citing concerns that the original language would swell state spending, box out private pest-control companies and create an unfunded mandate to counties, which historically handle pests that threaten farms and infrastructure.—
Mark Dee
March 31,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
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Asian equity markets pared early losses, with some reversing into positive territory on the news.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Telescopes and microscopes were everywhere by then, shrinking and stretching the Earth and sky and, in the process, expanding archaeological time from centuries to eons.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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If the overall workforce continues to shrink, even fewer new jobs will be needed to incorporate workers entering the labor force, such as recent college graduates or parents who put their careers on hold for a few years.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The invitation to the leader of the Nationalist Party, Cheng Li-wun, could help Xi bolster his argument to Trump that the United States should curtail weapons sales to Taiwan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2026
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Over more than 50 years, each new presidential administration has reassessed the place of spaceflight among its priorities, either encouraging or curtailing NASA’s efforts to return humans to the lunar surface.—
Emily A. Margolis,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The longtime illusion of a mainstream industry involved truncating both ends of the bell curve, the radical and the mercenary.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Running routes get truncated, as those exercising must run laps within a radius of an accessible bomb shelter.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
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As the war in Iran rages on, both rising oil prices and consumers’ decreasing desire to jet-set in uncertain times hang like a dark cloud over the industry, threatening to upend air travel across the world.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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