RETRENCHING Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

retrenching 1 of 2

noun

as in retrenchment

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retrenching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retrench

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.

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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 retrenching

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

One way to allay fears that the United States is retrenching from the world’s most important region is to chart an ambitious course for its most critical alliance. — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026 The closures arrive as galleries around the world are retrenching amid an art market destabilized by tariffs, war, and shifting buyer habits and tastes. — News Desk, Artforum, 3 Aug. 2026 In other cases, key stakeholders—including investors and customers—have kept companies from fully retrenching on climate. — Justin Worland, Time, 11 July 2026 There has been a lot of talk recently about Saudi Arabia retrenching from sports. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 May 2026 Networks and streamers, which have spent the past few years retrenching, may be regaining their appetite for risk. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrenching

Noun

But as the retrenchment took hold, studies found that the English immersion approach did not improve academic outcomes.

— Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
The multiyear partnership, the length and financials of which were not disclosed, reflects Adidas’ ongoing emphasis to push into women’s basketball, while outgoing outfitter Under Armour continues its retrenchment.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of retrenchment

Verb

Recently, the sector has been affected by El Nino, which brings weak monsoons and dry weather, reducing yields and sucrose recovery.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Other options include reducing the level of your contributions, although there is a minimum of 5% of pay for employees and 3% for employers.

— Marc Shoffman, TheWeek, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reducing

Noun

Beginning in the early 20th century, the chemical process of hydrogenation allowed producers to turn liquid vegetable oils into semisolid fats suitable for shortening and margarine.

— Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
The inaccuracies of the old map include the shortening of Africa, and the relative expansion of North America and Eurasia.

— Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of shortening

Verb

But Milei is trying to recast Argentina as a destination for foreign wealth, slashing public spending, dismantling regulations and courting investment in the country's vast oil and mineral resources.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
States have already started slashing caregivers’ pay and other critical disability services in anticipation of Medicaid cuts that will roll out next year.

— STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashing

Noun

Experts say the risk of contracting rabies from a bat remains low, but the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear and is preventable with prompt treatment.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
This included contracting with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Edu to all its faculty, staff and students and setting up an advisory board to advocate for AI skills needed in the state’s workforce.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of contracting

Verb

This change is apparent in the fact that European governments, too, are cutting funding for religious freedom advocacy.

— Matthew Schmitz, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
In a sign of growing staff unrest over the steady stream of cost-cutting announcements across the BBC, some workers made their feelings known on a Microsoft Teams call earlier this week.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cutting

Verb

But Moody’s says the fiscal pressures from aging emerge long before populations actually start shrinking.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Part of the reason for his town’s interest, Brule said, is the need to make up for shrinking tax revenues from Millstone, which experienced a decline in property values following deregulation.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrinking

Verb

Since their debut in 1986, American Girl has shrunk their historical line significantly–including paring down the traditional six-book set for each historical character into two streamlined texts.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Boeing shares were up as much as 3% in premarket trading before paring back some of those gains.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of paring

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Style

“Retrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenching. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrenching

noun

verb

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