retrench
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cut down, reduce, or diminish; curtail (expenses).
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to cut off or remove.
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Military. to protect by a retrenchment.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to reduce or curtail (costs); economize
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(tr) to shorten, delete, or abridge
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(tr) to protect by a retrenchment
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
Explanation
When times are tight, it's time to retrench. That means rethink your budget, cut back on the spending, and use your pennies wisely. Usually when you have to retrench, it's not a good thing. Companies in the process of retrenching are usually laying off staff or cutting back on employee benefits. But even if you're making gobs of money and your bank account is full of cash, it might be wise to save for a rainy day — that way you won't have to retrench when the going gets tough.
Vocabulary lists containing retrench
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It even stands to benefit if consumers retrench.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
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.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025
"If consumers retrench... the entire economy is going to go down with it," he said.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2025
The airline will end service at several cities in a move to retrench and focus on stronger markets after years of losing money.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024
Softly, softly," interrupted Mr. Stanley, "retrench your plural number.
From Coelebs In Search of a Wife by More, Hannah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
