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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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 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
  1. reduced
  2. slashed
  3. cut
  4. decreased
  5. pared
  6. shrank
  7. dropped
Verb
  • He was sentenced to four years’ probation and initially ordered to stay away from his ex-wife and two children for six years, which was later reduced to two years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The film, set between the years 1945 and 1947, depicts a society struggling to recover from war, only to be reduced, once again, by the arrival of a kaiju (as giant monsters are known in Japanese, and to fans of the corresponding film genre).
    — Matt Alt, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • Ionis Pharmaceuticals lost more than $1 billion in market value on Monday after the company slashed sales projections for a triglyceride-lowering drug the biotech and Wall Street analysts believe is a potential blockbuster.
    — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Milei’s austerity drive has produced a rare budget surplus and slashed annual inflation from 200% to about 32%.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of slashed
Verb
  • Jovany Barragan’s second field goal — a 35-yarder on an untimed down — cut Serra’s deficit to 21-6 at halftime.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The verdict came just three days after regulators seized Ueno Bank, cutting nearly 3 million customers off from their savings and bank cards and setting off a political crisis.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • In a further wrinkle, the researchers found that warmer weather increased mouse numbers but decreased nymphal ticks.
    — Clarissa Brincat, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Since then, available retail space has declined by about 13% with the restructuring of the Water Tower Place, and store vacancies have decreased by 2%, according to Gregory Kirsch, managing broker for Kirsch agencies.
    — Jane Miller, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of decreased
Verb
  • Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom looked to build on a strong start to the week, though shares pared gains in midday trading.
    — April Roach, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The aesthetic is Nordic and pared back, with just the occasional glass vase, sprig of eucalyptus, or book.
    — Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of pared
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
  • Phillips caught a bad break when her approach to the green hit a tree branch on its upward flight and dropped 20 yards short of the green.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This allows soldiers to retain the option of using an unexpended round as conventional mortar ammunition if it is not dropped or mission requirements change.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of dropped

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Cite this Entry

“Retrenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenched. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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