retrench
verb
re·trench ri-ˈtrench 
retrenched; retrenching; retrenches
transitive verb
1
a
: cut down, reduce
b
: to cut out : excise
2
: to pare away : remove
intransitive verb
: to make retrenchments
specifically : economize
Example Sentences
When the economy slowed, the company was forced to retrench.
Recent Examples on the Web The company said that revenue for its current quarter would come in around $5.9 billion, down 17% year-over-year, and that its gaming business would continue to retrench. 
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
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
Etymology
obsolete French retrencher (now retrancher), from Middle French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut
First Known Use
1587, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
retrenched
verb
as in reduced
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
Relevance
- reduced
- slashed
- cut
- shrunk
- shrank
- dropped
- downsized
- pared
- decreased
- curtailed
- contracted
- truncated
- shortened
- depleted
- diminished
- pruned
- dwindled
- nicked
- whittled
- trimmed
- docked
- cut down
- dented
- clipped
- eased
- abbreviated
- cut back
- abridged
- abated
- lessened
- lowered
- cropped
- constricted
- modified
- knocked down
- compressed
- condensed
- downscaled
- deflated
- de-escalated
- qualified
- minimized
- moderated
- modulated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- swelled
- extended
- lengthened
- prolonged
- supplemented
- inflated
- protracted
- intensified
- elongated
- dilated
- distended
- increased
- blew up
- added (to)
- complemented
- enhanced
- expanded
- heightened
- redoubled
- enlarged
- boosted
- augmented
- amplified
- escalated
- raised
- aggrandized