as in retrenchment
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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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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
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Douglass would not have been surprised by that cycle of progress and retrenchment.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2026
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Penile length shortening is also common following prostatectomy/pelvic surgery.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Makar went to the penalty box for slashing, and the Wild capitalized on the man-advantage when Eriksson Ek popped in the rebound of a Boldy shot.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Council was able to avoid layoffs, balancing its billion dollar budgets by slashing vacant positions and hiking fees for parking and other programs, in those years.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Financing, workforce and contracting processes are some of the central areas that need improving, according to a legislative committee on Housing Construction Innovation chaired by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.—
Amancai Biraben,
Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Because Plankey is a nominee who's awaiting Senate confirmation, he is generally expected to avoid involvement in agency operations, particularly those related to the department's contracting.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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And geography proved important when Leroy and Jarzyna looked for reasons why so many bird species are shrinking ever faster.—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Currently, some schools have combined grades into a single class to address shrinking student bodies.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Saudi Tadawul fell by nearly 5% before paring losses, while the Oman and Bahrain bourses also slipped.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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One such category that Zaslow recommends paring down is broken or ineffective fall and winter tools.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrenching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenching. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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