RETRENCH Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

retrench

verb

Definition of retrench

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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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 As the deadline approached, the organizers retrenched, calling for an initial group of 25 to 50 sculptures to be in place by July, with others added in future years, reports CNN, which was unable to find anyone who had been chosen for the garden. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 At the time, Iger said Disney had been pumping out too many shows and movies to compete with Netflix and needed to retrench. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Networks and streamers, which have spent the past few years retrenching, may be regaining their appetite for risk. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 Historically, economic downturns create chances to acquire assets, invest in innovation or expand while competitors retrench. — Bryce Jenkins, Forbes.com, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrench

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench

Verb

The additional sleep provided by the bassinet also is believed to reduce burnout and postpartum depression in working moms and dads.

— Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
There is an endless debate about crime, its causes and how to reduce it.

— Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

The first due to a slip from Porro, which allowed Andy Robertson to cut the ball back for McTominay.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
The Odyssey’s crew is full of longtime Nolan collaborators, from cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, who has worked with Nolan since Interstellar, to editor Jennifer Lame, who previously cut Tenet and Oppenheimer.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

And with a handful of film distributors siphoning a greater portion of box office revenue, the states argue that theaters will likely be forced to raise ticket prices and slash investments for larger screens, luxury seating and concessions.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Warner dramatically reduced its own debt after slashing budgets, but is still tens of billions of dollars in the red, which helped set the stage for Paramount's unsolicited bid.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 July 2026

Definition of slash

Verb

Research shows that drops in hormones actually shrink the volume of gray matter in a woman’s hippocampus and frontal and temporal cortices, which are key for memory and executive function.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 July 2026
When the goal looks too big to move, shrink it until your team can win now, then let momentum do the rest.

— André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of shrink

Verb

Plans for low volume road-car production were curtailed by Bruce’s untimely death while testing at Goodwood in 1970, and the original has been something of a dusty footnote until now.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 13 July 2026
In the present context, that would require American pressure on Israel to curtail military operations on Lebanese territory.

— Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Definition of curtail

Verb

That process would usually be more truncated, with allocations occurring after the official pricing is decided, closer to the market open.

— Ari Levy,Leslie Picker, CNBC, 9 June 2026
Those who show up late or not at all get removal orders, further truncating the already limited due process available to immigrants.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 May 2026

Definition of truncate

Verb

Doing so would inevitably raise the price of the shoes, and the performance-to-value ratio that’s such a big appeal now would decrease.

— Scott Douglas, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
As traffic in the waterway decreases, the oil market is facing the same squeeze that has taken millions of barrels offline per day since March.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of decrease

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Style

“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrench

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