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
… Allied troops entrenched themselves on the Normandy beach …—
Andrea Stone
Andrea Stone
b
: to place (oneself) in a strong defensive position
… a ruling clique's desire to … entrench itself against shifts in public opinion.—Henry Olsen
Henry Olsen
c
: to establish solidly
entrenched themselves in the business
… social reforms which the government is trying to entrench.—Michelle Grattan
Michelle Grattan2
: 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
entrench upon a person's rights
Synonyms of entrench
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
Headphone Deals For those deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem who want headphones that just work without all the fuss, the Beats Solo 4 make sense, even more so with a $50 discount.
—PC Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025
The republic hadn’t been well entrenched, hence its weakness.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
To increase competitiveness, Kelly suggests, Democrats need to continue shifting party leadership away from those entrenched in the politics of Washington.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
Its once vaunted economic miracle has slowed sharply, and across much of the developing world, Beijing is now viewed less as a partner than as a predator—a creditor wielding debt, infrastructure, and technology to entrench dependence.
—Jane Harman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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PC Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025
The republic hadn’t been well entrenched, hence its weakness.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
To increase competitiveness, Kelly suggests, Democrats need to continue shifting party leadership away from those entrenched in the politics of Washington.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
Its once vaunted economic miracle has slowed sharply, and across much of the developing world, Beijing is now viewed less as a partner than as a predator—a creditor wielding debt, infrastructure, and technology to entrench dependence.
—Jane Harman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
Cite this Entry
“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrench. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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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