entrench
verb
en·trench
in-ˈtrench 
en-
variants
or less commonly intrench
entrenched also intrenched; entrenching also intrenching; entrenches also intrenches
1
a
: to place within or surround with a trench especially for defense
b
: to place (oneself) in a strong defensive position
c
: to establish solidly
entrenched themselves in the business
2
: to cut into : furrow
specifically
: to erode downward so as to form a trench
1
: to dig or occupy a trench for defensive purposes
2
: to enter upon or take over something unfairly, improperly, or unlawfully : encroach
—used with on or upon
Synonyms
Examples of entrench in a Sentence
officials who have tried to entrench themselves in office
a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off
Recent Examples on the Web
He's entrenched at this point, and the company is entrenched simply just based on how much money is invested in them.
—
Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
According to Syrian state media SANA, government forces, supported by Russian airpower, have entrenched themselves around Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, after insurgents retreated 12 miles from the area.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Your brother is presumably a grown-up, entrenched in his prejudices, and arguing is less likely to reform him than to spoil family gatherings.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
Without intervention, Google’s search monopoly could give it an unfair advantage over AI as well—and an AI monopoly could further entrench the company’s control over search.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entrench 
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Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
According to Syrian state media SANA, government forces, supported by Russian airpower, have entrenched themselves around Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, after insurgents retreated 12 miles from the area.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Your brother is presumably a grown-up, entrenched in his prejudices, and arguing is less likely to reform him than to spoil family gatherings.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
Without intervention, Google’s search monopoly could give it an unfair advantage over AI as well—and an AI monopoly could further entrench the company’s control over search.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entrench
Dictionary Entries Near entrench
Cite this Entry
“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrench. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
entrench
verb
en·trench
in-ˈtrench
1
a
: to dig, place within, surround with, or occupy a trench especially for defense
b
: to establish solidly
2
: encroach sense 1
—used with on or upon
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