retrenchment

[ri-trench-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of retrenching; a cutting down or off, as by the reduction of expenses.

2. Fortification.,  an interior work that cuts off a part of a fortification from the rest, and to which a garrison may retreat.

Other Word Forms

• nonretrenchment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrenchment¹

From the French word retrenchement, dating back to 1590–1600. See retrench, -ment

Example Sentences

A history of solid gains in December should also provide support, particularly given the market’s notable November retrenchment.

Read more on Barron's

Ms. Velez’s Patti exudes a warmth undergirded by a fierce desire to protect her son, and a pleading hope to persuade Nelson that retrenchment is the only path forward.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But given trade tensions and America’s retrenchment from the world, Doshi said, “that seems very tenuous.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Twitter layoffs was among the earliest in a series of retrenchments among tech firms to cut costs.

Read more on BBC

The move furthers Allen’s retrenchment after a $1-billion buying spree in recent years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absence 
• dearth 
• inadequacy 
• loss 
• paucity 
• poverty 
• reduction 
• scarcity 
• shortage 
• shortcoming 
• shortfall