What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Retrench vs Delete - What's the difference?

retrench | delete |

As a verb retrench

is to cut down or reduce or retrench can be to dig or redig a trench where one already was.

As a noun delete is

a key that may be pressed to delete something (including text or files) from a computer.

retrench

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) retrenchier, (etyl) retrancher; see (etyl) , and English trench.

Verb

(es)
  • To cut down or reduce.
  • * Denham
  • Thy exuberant parts retrench .
  • To abridge; to curtail.
  • * Milton
  • But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched .
  • To confine; to limit; to restrict.
  • (Addison)
  • * I. Taylor
  • These figures, ought they then to receive a retrenched interpretation?
  • To furnish with a retrenchment (defensive work within a fortification).
  • to retrench bastions
  • To take up a new defensive position.
  • We must retrench and try to hold on long enough for products in development to reach the market or we will be out of business.
  • *2012 , The Economist, Private Equity: Keep Calm and Carry On
  • International firms could decide it is not cost-effective to keep open their other European offices and retrench to London.

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (es)
  • To dig or redig a trench where one already was.
  • Anagrams

    *

    delete

    English

    (Deletion)

    Noun

    (-)
  • I lost the file when I accidentally hit delete .
  • A remainder of a music or video release.
  • Verb

    (delet)
  • To remove, get rid of or erase, especially written or printed material, or data on a computer.
  • (computer) To hide, conceal
  • Synonyms

    * (to get rid of) erase, strike, terminate, cease existence, remove, rub out, strike out, obliterate, cancel, cross out, score, scrub, scrap, scratch, expunge, eliminate, blue-pencil, exclude, squelch

    Antonyms

    * (to get rid of) insert, maintain