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
Wambsganss is deeply entrenched in local Republican politics and well-known in education circles, as the chief communications officer for Patriot Mobile.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Marsee’s inclusion is odd, because he is already entrenched as Miami’s center fielder.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Popular LLMs lean left, and as the technology reaches more classrooms, companies, regulators, and legislators will be tempted to entrench that bias.
—Jonah Davids, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Hinton’s work shows how institutions—from urban police to public housing and segregated, underfunded schools—have, through their practices, entrenched a racially unjust status quo.
—Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Marsee’s inclusion is odd, because he is already entrenched as Miami’s center fielder.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
Popular LLMs lean left, and as the technology reaches more classrooms, companies, regulators, and legislators will be tempted to entrench that bias.
—Jonah Davids, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Hinton’s work shows how institutions—from urban police to public housing and segregated, underfunded schools—have, through their practices, entrenched a racially unjust status quo.
—Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 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 11 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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