retrench — to reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty
Pronunciation (IPA): /rɪˈtrentʃ/
Example Sentences
- When the startup ran out of funding, they had to retrench half their workforce and survive on instant ramen.
- The airline decided to retrench by selling their gold-plated coffee machines and switching to paper cups.
- During the economic downturn, many companies were forced to retrench and reduce their operations.
retrench
VERB[/rɪˈtrentʃ/]
to reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty
The struggling factory had to retrench, cutting staff and shutting down half its production lines.
On the bench with a wrench, watching workers dig a trench to retrench
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From French 'retrancher' meaning to cut off or reduce, derived from 're-' (back) and 'trancher' (to cut), which comes from Vulgar Latin 'trincare'. The word entered English in the 16th century with military and financial connotations.
Breakdown
re- (back, again) + trench (from French trancher, to cut) = retrench (to cut back or reduce)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“When the startup ran out of funding, they had to retrench half their workforce and survive on instant ramen.”
“The airline decided to retrench by selling their gold-plated coffee machines and switching to paper cups.”
“During the economic downturn, many companies were forced to retrench and reduce their operations.”
“The government advised businesses to retrench gradually rather than make drastic cuts.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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