retrench

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 Schools are hesitant to grow too fast for fear they’ll be forced to retrench once today’s crisis ebbs. Maria Flynn, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 But any business that has benefited from supply chains that are efficient and cost effective (which is to say most of them) will now have to retrench in order to reduce its exposure to trade policy and geopolitical risks. Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2025 Recent data shows that U.S. banks are indeed retrenching. Chris Scharman, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Other banks are retrenching, too, as customers rely increasingly heavily on digital banking. David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench
Verb
  • An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Republican bill cuts Medicaid for unemployed, undocumented children, Planned Parenthood How much do Americans rely on programs like Medicaid and Social Security?
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Vought compared it to the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement, which, at the time, cut spending by over $200 billion and did as the name suggests.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The result is a leaner, more transparent value chain that slashes transit times, anchors skilled jobs at home, and gives automakers, wind-turbine producers, battery materials manufacturers, and aerospace primes a domestic alternative to long-distance supply lines.
    William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Read Next State Politics Plan to slash property taxes passes Idaho House.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • As the summer heats up, Greenblatt is paring back her beauty routine.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • The 200-stock benchmark S&P/ASX 200 pared earlier gains to 0.57% as at 11.20 a.m.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Though East Contra Costa has been the hub of refinery activities in Northern California, the number of jobs in the remaining refineries was limited, and had been shrinking in the past decade.
    Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • In fact, Hele offers a shortening kit that shrinks the platform down to 5.5 feet (1.7 m), aiming for the most universal vehicle fit.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Under Trump, border encounters with migrants have dropped dramatically amid tougher enforcement and drastically curtailed asylum and refugee programs.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Republicans also face unfavorable odds of curtailing a long-standing practice by nearly every state -- known as provider taxes -- through which states pay some of their share of Medicaid costs by taxing hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.
    Phil Galewitz, ABC News, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Another way of broadening the search is by truncating a term using an asterisk (*).
    Kristen Finch, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2025
  • My personal opinions on truncating an adventure into achievement alone probably aren’t really welcome in that commercial environment.
    Maya Silver, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Iron Ore production decreased by 4.5% to 67.7 million metric tons due to heavy rainfall in Brazil.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Nord decreased our upload speeds by 38.37% and our latency by 29.26%.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on retrench

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