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Retrenchment vs Retreat - What's the difference?

retrenchment | retreat |

As nouns the difference between retrenchment and retreat

is that retrenchment is a reduction or curtailment; often referring to a business or government agency cutting back operations or laying off workers while retreat is the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

As a verb retreat is

to withdraw military forces.

retrenchment

Noun

(en noun)
  • A reduction or curtailment; often referring to a business or government agency cutting back operations or laying off workers.
  • (military, dated) A defensive work constructed within a fortification to make it more defensible (by allowing defenders to retreat into and fight from it even after the enemy has taken the outer work).
  • retreat

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
  • * Shakespeare
  • In a retreat he outruns any lackey.
  • The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position.
  • A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
  • * L'Estrange
  • He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat .
  • * Dryden
  • That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat / From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat.
  • A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude.
  • A period of meditation, prayer or study.
  • Withdrawal by military force from a dangerous position or from enemy attack.
  • A signal for a military withdrawal.
  • A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
  • A military ceremony to lower the flag.
  • (chess) The move of a piece from a threatened position.
  • See also

    * religious retreat

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To withdraw military forces.
  • Anagrams

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