retrench
Reduce costs or expenditures, especially by cutting back operations
Examples
In a meeting
“After the funding fell through, we had to retrench and focus only on core features.”
Over coffee
“We're retrenching this month after overspending on vacation.”
Why this word
reduce
retrench specifically means cutting back due to financial difficulties or strategic necessity, while reduce is a general decrease without implying economic constraint
cut
retrench conveys a defensive withdrawal or economizing in response to hardship, while cut is simply removing something without the context of difficulty
downsize
retrench emphasizes reducing expenses or operations to improve position, while downsize focuses more narrowly on reducing workforce or scale
Usage tip
Use during difficult times requiring cuts, not for routine budget adjustments
Etymology
French — from 'retrancher' (to cut off), from 're-' (back) + 'trancher' (to cut)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
circumvent
To find a way around an obstacle or restriction.
pivot
Change direction or strategy while maintaining a central focus
dilute
To make weaker by adding something or spreading too thin
bundle
To group multiple items or services together as a package
dissipate
To gradually disappear or scatter
curtailment
The action of reducing or limiting something