RETRENCHED Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

retrenched

verb

past tense of retrench

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.

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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 retrenched While American retrenched, United ramped up its flights from O’Hare. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 As House Republicans have retrenched, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee believes at least a dozen more races could be within striking distance. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Big producer-financiers like Participant Media, which was behind films like Spotlight and Roma, and Bron Studios (Judas and the Black Messiah, The Mule) have shuttered while traditional studios have retrenched themselves in their respective risk-averse fare. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026 Super Micro Computer is in growth mode at a time when some tech companies have retrenched in the Bay Area, while others are seeking larger new office spaces. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026 But the business has retrenched recently. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrenched

Verb

Then beef stock and heavy cream are added, and the sauce is reduced heavily.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
By controlling how densely cancer-targeting proteins are displayed on the virus, the team developed vaccine particles that significantly reduced tumor development in mice.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduced

Verb

In some cases, producers slashed wholesale prices paid by importers in an effort to take on some of the cost associated with a tariff.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
With his tires slashed by Todd and cops en route, Fang selects a glossy red muscle car for his getaway.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of slashed

Verb

In a pouch-cell demonstration, the battery continued powering an LED even after being folded and cut.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
At least 15 of the 53 donors who gave money this month had no history of state-level political contributions, and many more hadn’t cut checks in at least a decade.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

In Iowa, for example, MercyOne Clinton Medical Center ended labor and delivery services earlier this year, citing decreased Medicaid funding as part of the reason.

— Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 30 Oct. 2026
Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (which measures pressure when the heart relaxes) both decreased.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of decreased

Verb

Whether DeSantis’ redistricting effort delivers for Republicans Florida’s new congressional maps shrunk the number of Democratic-leaning seats from eight to four.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The actuators push a piston with pressurized oil, much like the arm of an excavator, only shrunk down.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of shrank

Verb

Plus, the tall shafts helped keep me warm when the temperatures dropped dramatically once the sun went down, which was a major bonus.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
The Jets have dropped two straight games to fall to 2-5, turning up the heat on coach Aaron Glenn.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped

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“Retrenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenched. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrenched

verb

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