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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 If the United States further retrenches from Colombia, Beijing will seek to deepen its influence. —Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025 But the business has retrenched recently. —Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025 The store is seeking to enter a new phase of growth by retrenching its retail leadership in France while accelerating its global ambitions across both flagship locations and digital platforms. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 The museum did some retrenching earlier this year, eliminating some staff positions and long-vacant roles, citing sharply rising operational costs in the face of slower growth in revenue and philanthropic support. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 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
  • Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Snowmaking specialist TechnoAlpin, which is supplying this year’s Winter Olympics, said technology has advanced significantly over recent decades, reducing energy demand and water consumption.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • In the men's singles final in figure skating, the NBC telecast just cut to a shot of American Max Naumov, who was juggling a soccer ball.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Catherine’s brother Hindley, a vicious bully whose abuse is part of what drives Cathy and Heathcliff so closely together, is cut entirely, his role combined with Catherine’s father.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Just as the trial for Samuel Patrick Groft was about to kick off, the 45-year-old instead pleaded no contest Wednesday to a slew of vandalism charges stemming from the seven-day slashing rampage.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • And boosting, not slashing, anti-hunger programs.
    — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of slash
Verb
  • And every time stocks have rallied, an equally relentless wave of skeptics has pared those gains.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Passengers may notice seasickness bags placed around the ship, just in case, and some programming, such as lectures, could be pared back if the waves get especially choppy.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of pare
Verb
  • The logic behind this is that supermassive black hole binaries, which spiral together to lead to collisions and mergers, emit gravitational waves of increasing frequency as their orbits shrink, creating a background hum of gravitational waves.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Longer term labor force challenges will be found, particularly the shrinking 16-to 24-year-old population, according to the report.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of shrink
Verb
  • If lawmakers can’t clinch a deal to keep the department open, Britt said Congress’ upcoming recess should be curtailed.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Egypt, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and Turkey have curtailed access, according to local media outlets.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of curtail
Verb
  • Party insiders pick a nominee, campaigns are truncated to a few short weeks, and challengers are locked out before the public ever hears their names.
    — Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Thwarted and truncated directorial careers are among the depressing glories of the art of movies.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Definition of truncate
Verb
  • And with Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon—considered the four major hyperscalers—projected to spend an eye-watering $700 billion on AI build-outs in 2026, these prices are unlikely to decrease anytime soon.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Some teachers might use carts for a year or two instead of having their own classroom, but the district’s demographic study shows enrollment will continue to decrease, so that problem will go away.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on retrench

Nglish: Translation of retrench for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All