retrench

[ri-trench]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut down, reduce, or diminish; curtail (expenses).

   Synonyms: cut, abridge, decrease

2. to cut off or remove.

3. Military.,  to protect by a retrenchment.

verb (used without object)

1. to economize; reduce expenses.

   They retrenched by eliminating half of the workers.

retrench

/ rɪˈtrɛntʃ /

verb

1. to reduce or curtail (costs); economize

2. (tr) to shorten, delete, or abridge

3. (tr) to protect by a retrenchment

Other Word Forms

• retrenchable adjective
• retrencher noun
• unretrenchable adjective
• unretrenched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrench¹

1600–10; < French retrencher (obsolete variant of retrancher ), Middle French retrenchier, equivalent to re- re- + trenchier to trench

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrench¹

C17: from Old French retrenchier , from _re- + trenchier to cut, from Latin truncāre to lop; see _trench

Example Sentences

CVS Chief Executive David Joyner said in an interview that the Oak Street business needs to retrench, after coming under pressure from higher medical costs and regulatory changes in the Medicare business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I want to see that these layoffs are broadly based and not from sectors that are struggling or companies that may have over expanded and now are retrenching some of that expansion,” Uruci says.

Read more on Barron's

Large employers are retrenching, making deep cuts to white-collar positions and leaving fewer opportunities for experienced and new workers who had counted on well-paying office work to support families and fund retirements.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Private equity firms — which tend to be attracted to film and TV libraries because of the cash flow they generate — have retrenched a bit from their previous interest in Hollywood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s the aftereffects of trying to compete at the streaming level and thinking that’s the future. Resources were put there, and now they have to retrench.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conserve 
• curtail 
• cut down