entrench

verb

en·trench | \ in-ˈtrench

, en-\

variants: or less commonly intrench \ in-ˈtrench

entrenched also intrenched; entrenching also intrenching; entrenches also intrenches

Definition of entrench

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from entrench Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about entrench

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Synonyms & Antonyms for entrench

Synonyms

bed, embed (also imbed), enroot, fix, impact, implant, ingrain (also engrain), lodge, root

Antonyms

dislodge, root (out), uproot

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

Patients turn to her Los Angeles office with cysts the size of soccer balls, blackheads that have been entrenched for decades, and pimples that have their own pimples. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Dr. Pimple Popper Is Back for Season 3 With a Harrowing and Pus-Filled Trailer," 8 May 2019 Critics say the ultimate purpose is to entrench Palestinians’ dependence. — Washington Post, "For Palestinians, Israeli permits a complex tool of control," 1 May 2018 My late grandfather, who was an old-line communist in his day, used to tell me with mixed admiration and regret that FDR had saved capitalism by entrenching institutions that guaranteed broadly shared prosperity. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "Top House Democrats join Elizabeth Warren’s push to fundamentally change American capitalism," 14 Dec. 2018 Many facial recognition algorithms still show higher error rates for African-Americans, women, and young people, suggesting the systems might be entrenching societal biases. — Russell Brandom, The Verge, "How should we regulate facial recognition?," 29 Aug. 2018 In the same building is the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), which is as entrenched in the L.A. cultural scene as the Phil. — Maxwell Williams, Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles," 1 Mar. 2018 This is not least because the junta, technically known as the National Council for Peace and Order, oversaw the introduction of a new constitution that entrenches the military’s power and the influence of unelected judges and other officials. — Anna Fifield, Washington Post, "Will Thailand’s general-prime minister make good on his latest promise to hold elections?," 15 Apr. 2018 Though the layered look is firmly entrenched in Hollywood, the fashion world has lately been catching on to the neat, graphic impact of the blunt cut. — Eviana Hartman, Vogue, "The 19 Best Blunt Cuts of All Time, From Jane Birkin to Gwyneth Paltrow," 26 Dec. 2018 The weather pattern remains quite moody, with the cold air still firmly entrenched across Canada. — Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Ahead of Marathon Monday, it’s back to winter temperatures," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrench.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.