RETRENCHES Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

retrenches

verb

present tense third-person singular of retrench

as in cuts

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 retrenches Guatemala became the third Latin American government to declare a state of emergency to combat gang violence, as the region retrenches around security. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Jan. 2026 If the United States further retrenches from Colombia, Beijing will seek to deepen its influence. — Kevin Whitaker, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrenches

Verb

Removing humans from the equation, even in a small way, cuts against the fundamental value of their journalism in the AI era.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Uptown food cart sees ‘tremendous drop’ in sales after city cuts late-night hours.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of cuts

Verb

Critics argue the effort slashes the limited due process immigrants receive.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Applying this rule to back-to-school clothes, summer swimwear, and winter boots takes minimal extra effort (plus a little storage space) and slashes kid clothing budgets in half.

— Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 July 2026

Definition of slashes

Verb

Splitting the shot up decreases vaccination rates and leaves children unprotected over a longer period, experts say.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
When employees actively participate in shaping the policies that govern their day-to-day experience, engagement rises and turnover decreases.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of decreases

Verb

Elevated levels of insulin can increase DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles, which can lead to hair thinning and, over time, permanent loss.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a 5,015mAh battery, but the Pixel 11 Pro Fold shrinks that to 4,806mAh.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shrinks

Verb

Florida is no longer a boom state as costs of living rise, 20-somethings leave and growth drops below 1%.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
As the crude layer drops below 300 million barrels, the SPR physically loses its ability to pump oil at rapid emergency speeds of around 4 million barrels per day.

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of drops

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retrenched

retrenches

retrenching

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“Retrenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenches. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrenches

verb

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