RETRENCHED Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

retrenched

verb

past tense of retrench

as in reduced

formal to change the way things are done in order to spend less money When the economy slowed, the company was forced to retrench.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retrenched While American retrenched, United ramped up its flights from O’Hare. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 As House Republicans have retrenched, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee believes at least a dozen more races could be within striking distance. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Big producer-financiers like Participant Media, which was behind films like Spotlight and Roma, and Bron Studios (Judas and the Black Messiah, The Mule) have shuttered while traditional studios have retrenched themselves in their respective risk-averse fare. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026 Super Micro Computer is in growth mode at a time when some tech companies have retrenched in the Bay Area, while others are seeking larger new office spaces. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026 But the business has retrenched recently. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrenched

Verb

The combination also reduced the hazard of cancer spreading to distant sites or death by 38%.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
In Spain, modern farming methods have reduced the practice of transhumance to a small group of farmers that keep the tradition alive not just for its environmental benefits but also for its cultural value.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduced

Verb

A day later, Gravitics Holdings slashed its deal size by a whopping 60% ahead of the space-system developer’s $50 million IPO.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom all slashed spending on foreign assistance after the United States gutted its own budget.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashed

Verb

The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Later that month, Achilles, a university lecturer, cut a campaign ad in the spirit of a tongue-in-cheek corporate training video on how to avoid starting a foreign war.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Telecom stocks — Shares of AT & T and T-Mobile fell more than 5% each, while Verizon shares decreased 1% on a Bloomberg News report that SpaceX is in private talks to lease 80,000 cell towers.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
As technology has advanced, launch costs have decreased, and satellites have become more efficient, smaller and cheaper to build.

— David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of decreased

Verb

All of the nails were glossy and pared back, reminding us of the minimalist glass nail trend.

— Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Featuring a sleek black column skirt and minimalist stilettos, the look, while pared-back, was far from boring thanks to a creamy sleeveless top with a voluminous feather-like hem.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pared

Verb

The number of congressional battlegrounds nationwide has shrunk with gerrymandering and political polarization, making the district one of about two dozen races that will decide the House majority.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Its gross domestic product has shrunk, and its 10 million residents have endured blackouts, food shortages and inflation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrank

Verb

New Jersey won its second straight to improve to 6-4-0, while the Ducks dropped their fifth in a row to fall to 4-6-0.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
California’s homicide rate dropped to its lowest-ever level on record in 2025, as the number of violent crimes and homicides has dropped in recent decades, both statewide and nationally.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped

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“Retrenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrenched. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrenched

verb

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