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

… Allied troops entrenched themselves on the Normandy beach …

—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

c

: to establish solidly

entrenched themselves in the business

… social reforms which the government is trying to entrench.

—Michelle Grattan

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

entrench upon a person's rights

entrenchment

in-ˈtrench-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of entrench

• root
• embed
• lodge

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

North Korea has revised its constitution with four key changes, which include entrenching a hardline position towards South Korea and strengthening leader Kim Jong Un’s authority over its nuclear forces. — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026

The ultra-Orthodox parties want to entrench that exemption, while Eisenkot, Liberman and others campaigned for universal service. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Focusing primarily on reducing costs and on growing its Sun Belt network, American entrenched itself at its hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth and in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

The union said the agreement harms local residents through high ticket prices and entrenches American’s market dominance, while American said its funding covers about 90% of airport capital improvements, including gates used by competitors. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for entrench

• retrench
• workbench
• clench
• drench
• quench
• stench
• tench
• trench
• wench
• wrench

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