entrench

verb

en·​trench in-ˈtrench 

en-

variants or less commonly intrench

in-ˈtrench 

entrenched also intrenched; entrenching also intrenching; entrenches also intrenches

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

entrenchment

in-ˈtrench-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms

• bed
• embed
• imbed
• enroot
• fix
• impact
• implant
• ingrain
• engrain
• lodge
• root

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

Recent efforts to address health disparities have run headlong into racist policies still entrenched in health systems. —Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

But a practical solution will yield better results, because yards and landscaping are still entrenched in American life. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024

Creating instability, forcing the leader to entrench, and forming a Soviet-style protection bureaucracy around him of statist mafias, KGB variants - that too is a protocol the world has witnessed aplenty. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

She's entrenched in a close race for the state with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids 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