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
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
Part of what makes fans so entrenched in sports is the unpredictability of it all.
—
Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Most faces in the room were already entrenched in long-term deals, but the Broncos did work quickly in free agency to bring back reserve tackle Matt Peart on a two-year deal.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Free food has become broadly entrenched in workplaces, with 44% of US employers now providing free snacks, double the rate a decade ago, according to surveys conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 July 2025
Eugenio Suárez was already entrenched at third base, so the Reds moved Senzel to the outfield for the 2019 season.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Most faces in the room were already entrenched in long-term deals, but the Broncos did work quickly in free agency to bring back reserve tackle Matt Peart on a two-year deal.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
Free food has become broadly entrenched in workplaces, with 44% of US employers now providing free snacks, double the rate a decade ago, according to surveys conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 July 2025
Eugenio Suárez was already entrenched at third base, so the Reds moved Senzel to the outfield for the 2019 season.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 July 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 23 Jul. 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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