retrench

verb

re·​trench ri-ˈtrench 

retrenched; retrenching; retrenches

transitive verb

1

a

: cut down, reduce

b

: to cut out : excise

2

: to pare away : remove

intransitive verb

: to make retrenchments

specifically : economize

Choose the Right Synonym for retrench

shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent.

shorten implies reduction in length or duration.

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.

declining business forced the company to retrench

Examples of retrench in a Sentence

When the economy slowed, the company was forced to retrench.

Recent Examples on the Web

If its future American ownership therefore wants to retrench to Hollywood fare, sources raised concerns that 5 could become something of a shop window for Paramount+, in effect a return to those American import days. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2025

Alongside Bana there’s Rosemary DeWitt as Turner’s ex-wife Jill, Lily Santiago’s Naya Vasquez who left the LAPD to retrench with her 4-year-old son in the great outdoors, and Sam Neill as Yosemite’s chief park ranger. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

Others retrench, trying to protect their organization’s future and their careers. —Harvard Business Review, 31 July 2025

Underlying details in the report also show that consumers and businesses haven’t quite retrenched in the face of persistent uncertainty about the economy, which is helping propel economic growth. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French retrencher (now retrancher), from Middle French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for retrench

• entrench
• workbench
• clench
• drench
• quench
• stench
• tench
• trench
• wench
• wrench

Kids Definition

retrench

verb

re·​trench ri-ˈtrench 

1

: lessen, reduce

2

: to reduce expenses

retrenchment

-mənt

noun