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
Negotiations divorced from accountability risk entrenching authoritarianism and teaching regimes that bloodshed is merely a prelude to diplomatic rehabilitation.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench Israel’s grip on the land.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Its metrics and win profile are all firmly entrenched around the cutline.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Across empty nesting, hormonal shifts and caregiving stress, small, intentional practices can protect a relationship before conflict becomes entrenched.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench Israel’s grip on the land.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Its metrics and win profile are all firmly entrenched around the cutline.
—Jim Root, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Across empty nesting, hormonal shifts and caregiving stress, small, intentional practices can protect a relationship before conflict becomes entrenched.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entrench
Cite this Entry
“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrench. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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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