as in retrenchment
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in reducing
formal
to change the way things are done in order to spend less money
When the economy slowed, the company was forced to retrench.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 retrenching
Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
This retreat from church mirrors a larger retrenching.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But what if the mission changes, and the organization turns from all-out going for it to a form of retrenching?
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
This is not the strategy of a retrenching United States.
—Rebeccah Heinrichs, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
The store is seeking to enter a new phase of growth by retrenching its retail leadership in France while accelerating its global ambitions across both flagship locations and digital platforms.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The museum did some retrenching earlier this year, eliminating some staff positions and long-vacant roles, citing sharply rising operational costs in the face of slower growth in revenue and philanthropic support.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
So far from a reset, Noem’s removal is a retrenching — an effort to remove our focus from the deeply troubling link between immigration policy and the threat to democracy while actually grinding forward on that dark path.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
This retreat from church mirrors a larger retrenching.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
General manager Pat Verbeek is keeping things tight to the vest but the Ducks, after years of retrenching into a painful rebuild and totally reshaping the club, are now in a position to add talent at the deadline instead of selling.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
But what if the mission changes, and the organization turns from all-out going for it to a form of retrenching?
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
This is not the strategy of a retrenching United States.
—Rebeccah Heinrichs, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
The store is seeking to enter a new phase of growth by retrenching its retail leadership in France while accelerating its global ambitions across both flagship locations and digital platforms.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The museum did some retrenching earlier this year, eliminating some staff positions and long-vacant roles, citing sharply rising operational costs in the face of slower growth in revenue and philanthropic support.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrenching
Noun
-
Douglass would not have been surprised by that cycle of progress and retrenchment.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2026
-
State involvement helps combat congressional self-dealing and undemocratic incumbent retrenchment, while congressional oversight helps curb state abuses, such as malapportionment and partisan vote suppression.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many gardeners embrace biodiversity in turf areas to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while reducing the inputs needed for lawn maintenance.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
That means potentially shutting down or reducing ice time for some of its biggest stars who are playing through nagging injuries.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Files with 100 to 180 grit are ideal for shaping and shortening gel, acrylic, or press-on nails, while medium grit (around 180 to 220) is better for shaping natural tips—without causing splits or tears.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Penile length shortening is also common following prostatectomy/pelvic surgery.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crosby is out a minimum of four weeks because of a lower-body injury and Malkin served the second of a five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin in the head.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That $67 ticket informed me that the airline was selling seats to fill planes and slashing staff and services to dangerous levels.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Crosby criticized outsourcing, suggesting a key move for the city would be spending less on contracting.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The resolution is strongly worded but also filled with caveats — noting that the district will comply with contracting and procurement laws.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After cutting direct military aid to Ukraine last year, Washington even reached out to Kyiv for its expertise in countering Iranian drones, which Russia uses to attack it.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
During one spurt, the freshman put up eight points in less than four minutes, cutting UCLA’s lead to 11.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over recent years, Illinois has seen a flock of corporations flee to more tax-friendly locations, which means shrinking tax collections and fewer employees to contribute to the income- tax pool.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But results from the new polls indicate the likelihood of that happening is shrinking.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was down around 9% at one point, before paring losses to trade about 7% lower at $92 a barrel.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Trump had earlier signaled that the conflict with Iran could end soon, sending oil prices plunging 10% before paring losses.—
Sean Conlon,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenching. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
