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 So, for example, the United States should retrench not because China’s rise is inevitable but because the decline of great-power war will not reverse. Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021 Sports and league executives expressed confidence that scripted entertainment would feel more of the pain if companies retrench. Alex Sherman, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for retrench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrench
Verb
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
  • Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The band moved to Berlin and poured all their energy into cutting their second album, Why You Lacking Energy.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
  • President Joe Biden promoted a suite of policies meant to cut carbon emissions by boosting EV sales.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Some protesters hurled large chunks of broken concrete at officers, slashed tires and defaced buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 June 2025
  • The obvious problem is there are not enough things to slash to pay for the irresponsible tax cuts and spending included in the bill.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The professionalization of college athletics will be seen in the high-stakes and expensive recruitment of stars on their way to the NFL and NBA, and they will be felt by athletes whose schools have decided to pare their programs.
    Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025
  • Tangent Tesla’s shares, which dropped 14% in one of the stock’s worst-ever trading sessions, appeared to pare back some losses Friday after jumping 3% in early trading.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, but the workforce shrank by 625,000 people.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 6 June 2025
  • First, Musk taking on the president so publicly could further shrink the car maker’s customer base by angering Trump backers.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • If Congress passes and Trump signs his huge tax cut bill, there may be a bump up in consumer and business spending but also rising deficits and debt, which will likely raise interest rates and curtail new investment.
    Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Markets rallied, Wall Street banks curtailed their recession forecasts, and moribund USconsumer confidence rebounded significantly.
    Samantha Waldenberg, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Originally told in two parts, the Broadway version was truncated after the pandemic and retooled into a single, three and half hour show.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 June 2025
  • However, this disconnect is limited to only a handful of scenes, since Kapoor’s role is truncated to the point of feeling perfunctory.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 June 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrench. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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