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 Bitcoin was within striking distance of $100,000 on Friday but retrenched over the weekend. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024 Some expected it, especially after many US companies retrenched on DEI efforts amid pushback from conservative activists. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024 A number of retail chains that have been trying to move into primary care have been retrenching or withdrawing altogether. Timothy Hoff, Harvard Business Review, 10 Oct. 2024 Economists are also watching wage growth, which has been slowing, as well as credit card and auto delinquencies, which have been rising, as early signs that consumers may retrench later this year. Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retrench 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench
Verb
  • Princess Anne has no plans to reduce her royal duties as her peers reach retirement age.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Working with a sliding scale provider, as mentioned above, is another great way to reduce costs.
    Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Crews found heavy flames coming from the front of the home and focused their efforts on search and rescue while also cutting holes in the roof of the house to release smoke and gas, the Fire Department said in a social media post.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Funding for United Nations agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights and refugee agencies, have been traditional targets for Republican administrations to cut.
    Ellen Knickmeyer, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Boeing executives have already disclosed plans to slash 17,000 jobs and cut costs everywhere from company travel to corporate events.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Trump had tapped billionaires Musk and Ramaswamy to head DOGE, a nongovernmental task force assigned to find ways to slash federal spending and make the federal government more efficient.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the Nielsens are pared down to various other niches — with money repercussions.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Markets have pared expectations for the number of rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserves this year, pricing in only one quarter percentage cut in 2025, according to CME FedWatch tool as of Friday.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Abnormally high temperatures above the Hudson Bay and the Labrador Sea helped shrink Arctic sea ice to a record low for January, Copernicus said.
    Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The device started small, got bigger, but has now shrunk again.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Here is the latest on the president’s actions: Trump seeks to curtail gender transitions for those under 19 President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for people under age 19.
    Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025
  • His latest objective is curtailing the excesses of sports gambling.
    Sean Gregory / Boston, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Cronin said practices were truncated and some days involved only weight lifting and workouts for players who didn’t play in games.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
  • When he is remembered, his story is heavily truncated.
    Naima Cochrane, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But between 2001 and 2024, the county’s population increased by about 560,000 people, while the daily booking average decreased by about 27%, even including the recent rise.
    Ryan Gillespie, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2025
  • One 2024 study of 1,247 adults from 91 countries by the University of Southampton and Bath found that, after a month of practicing mindfulness for 10 minutes daily, participants reported reduced depression, improved wellbeing, and decreased anxiety.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near retrench

Cite this Entry

“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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