ENTRENCH Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

entrench

verb

in-ˈtrench

variants also intrench

Definition of entrench

as in to root

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of entrench Eight months later, the White House’s deal with Maduro’s former vice president risks entrenching the people and policies that tanked the country’s economy in the first place. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2026 After six months of war, Iran’s leadership has coalesced around a hard core of military generals and clerics long entrenched in the ruling theocracy. — Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Throughout training camp, Klubnik has been entrenched in a battle with Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the backup quarterback job behind Smith. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 After the Gravel Institute closed, both Oks and Williams entrenched themselves in business and, eventually, Silicon Valley. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entrench

Recent Examples of Synonyms for entrench

Verb

Chan says the choice was tied to a broader decision to root the film in the patient’s own experience rather than a family’s or caretaker’s view of her.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
The estate’s appeal is rooted not only in its scale and flexibility, but also in the character of the main home itself.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of root

Verb

The optical payload successfully demonstrated angles-only navigation using live-feed images and an algorithm embedded within its payload electronics, enabling closed-loop control between the payload and the spacecraft, as per the release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
And cultural touchstones are everywhere, like a jar of agua fresca in which a head is submerged at the birthday celebration, and a quinceañera tiara and scepter embedded in a victim.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of embed

Verb

Even a partial dismantling of the rules would mean more pollutants such as smog, mercury and lead — and especially more tiny airborne particles that can lodge in lungs and cause health problems, the AP analysis found.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Consumers saw higher prices in August month-over-month for categories such as communication, lodging away from home, airline fares, education, and used cars and trucks.

— Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of lodge

Browse Nearby Words

entremets

entrench

entrenched

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/entrench. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of entrench

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes