retrench
[ ri-trench ]
/ rɪˈtrɛntʃ /
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verb (used with object)
to cut down, reduce, or diminish; curtail (expenses).
to cut off or remove.
Military. to protect by a retrenchment.
verb (used without object)
to economize; reduce expenses: They retrenched by eliminating half of the workers.
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Origin of retrench
OTHER WORDS FROM retrench
re·trench·a·ble, adjectivere·trench·er, nounun·re·trench·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·trenched, adjectiveWords nearby retrench
retread, retreat, retreatant, retreat from reality, retreatism, retrench, retrenchment, retrial, retribution, retributive, retributivism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for retrench
British Dictionary definitions for retrench
retrench
/ (rɪˈtrɛntʃ) /
verb
to reduce or curtail (costs); economize
(tr) to shorten, delete, or abridge
(tr) to protect by a retrenchment
Derived forms of retrench
retrenchable, adjectiveWord Origin for retrench
C17: from Old French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut, from Latin truncāre to lop; see trench
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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