retrench

American  

[ri-trench] / rɪˈtrɛntʃ /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to economize; reduce expenses.

   They retrenched by eliminating half of the workers.

retrench British  

/ rɪˈtrɛntʃ /

verb

1. to reduce or curtail (costs); economize

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

3. (tr) to protect by a retrenchment

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of retrench

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

Example Sentences

It even stands to benefit if consumers retrench.

From Barron's

“However, higher inflation expectations will be meaningless if employers still hold the cards in wage setting and their customers retrench,” he added.

From Barron's

The company, already retrenching this year, disclosed that it expects to lose between 1.3 million and 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.

From The Wall Street Journal

Medicare Advantage has also been a key growth driver for the insurers in the past, but the industry has been retrenching recently.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company has also retrenched in Medicare, getting out of unprofitable areas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conserve
• curtail
• cut down