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

China has claimed Tibet’s soil, but by entrenching their identity in the free world, Tibetans can ensure their culture lives on. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Policy competition between major powers has, in some industries, tipped from productive to zero sum, subsidies that distort capital allocation by entrenching incumbents, and others creating punishing overcapacity. — Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

In Los Angeles, hot dogs are firmly entrenched in the city’s culinary identity. — Danny Palumbo, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Unemployment remains entrenched, inequality is widening, and municipal services are unreliable. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 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