retrench
verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Example Sentences
Julia Horowitz, CNN, 25 Aug. 2022 But Wayfair is by far the biggest area tech firm to retrench. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2022 In the mid-’90s, her sales began to decline steadily, dragged down by a long economic slump and changing tastes that forced many haute couture designers, including Ms. Mori, to retrench. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 But analysts believe even affluent shoppers could retrench if the stock market continues to weaken. Christopher Rugaber, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2022 After convening for nine consecutive days at a spring training stadium here, the sides will now retrench and figure out next steps. Jared Diamond, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2022 Economists say the best way to prepare for a recession is not to retrench, but instead build resilience to protect your finances from an economic shock. Alexis Christoforous, ABC News, 17 June 2022 The technology-rich Nasdaq index this year is down more than 20 percent, which may help slow the economy as chastened investors retrench on spending. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 4 June 2022 The government appears to believe that a hostile regulatory environment won’t cause foreign e-commerce companies to retrench, given the size of the potential opportunity. Megha Mandavia, WSJ, 3 May 2022 See More Word History
obsolete French retrencher (now retrancher), from Middle French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut
1587, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
retrench
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- reduce
- cut
- slash
- pare
- shrink
- curtail
- truncate
- decrease
- downsize
- shorten
- whittle
- drop
- abridge
- lower
- prune
- diminish
- trim
- contract
- deplete
- cut down
- abbreviate
- downscale
- crop
- dwindle
- constrict
- dent
- cut back
- lessen
- abate
- dock
- modify
- condense
- nick
- compress
- ease
- clip
- knock down
- minimize
- deflate
- de-escalate
- modulate
- moderate
- qualify
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extend
- prolong
- inflate
- lengthen
- dilate
- swell
- elongate
- add (to)
- protract
- supplement
- complement
- enhance
- blow up
- intensify
- distend
- expand
- increase
- heighten
- augment
- enlarge
- raise
- redouble
- amplify
- escalate
- boost
- aggrandize
Synonym Chooser
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.
While in some cases nearly identical to retrench, abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.
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.
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.
The words shorten and retrench are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shorten implies reduction in length or duration.