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

Now, the question is whether either can assemble the tools — money, message and a strong ground game — needed to challenge a governor as entrenched as Abbott. —Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026

The mixed reaction for a player so firmly entrenched in Pittsburgh — Heyward's 228 regular-season games with the club rank second to former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — was not. —CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

The goalkeeper union is strong, but there is just one starting job and Freese looks to be firmly entrenched as Pochettino’s first choice — though there has been a rotating door behind him. —Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026

This is just one of numerous examples of inequalities that are entrenched in and deepened by medical and educational systems. —Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 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