entrench

1 of 2

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

entrenchment

2 of 2

noun

en·​trench·​ment

variants or less commonly intrenchment

-chmənt

plural -s

1

a

: the act of entrenching

used this delay for the entrenchment of the town

b

: the condition of being entrenched

2

a

: a defensive work consisting of a trench and a parapet

b

: any defense or protection

municipal government is usually regarded as one of the great entrenchments of democracy

—R. M. Dawson

3

obsolete : encroachment, infringement

4

a

: the process whereby streams become incised, ingrown, or entrenched

b

: the results of this process

Synonyms of entrench

Verb

• root
• embed
• lodge

Examples of entrench in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The neurological pathways entrench themselves. — James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Although the North African nation has legalized cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes, drug trafficking remains deeply entrenched. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

But the real test now is drawing up an equivalent blueprint for Bangladesh, where Epic Group still remains deeply entrenched. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

That leverage could be used to benefit Musk’s businesses, securing further contracts with the government and entrenching him deeper into the infrastructure of everyone’s lives. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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