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

Her party is already the largest opposition party in parliament, and a snap legislative election following the presidential vote could entrench it further. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

The index has lost almost 40% since its June high and is firmly entrenched in bear market. — Justina Lee,sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Beth Hammack, who heads the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank, worries the cumulative effect of these shocks could make inflation more entrenched. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

The Houthis are entrenched, battle-hardened and know the mountainous terrain. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 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