as in ditches
a long narrow channel dug in the earth
dug a trench and filled it with water in an attempt to keep the forest fire off her property
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Recent Examples of trenches
The fabulous funnel design comes in all shapes and sizes from classic wool wrap styles to all-weather trenches and edgy leather bombers.
—
Morgan Evans, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
To learn why dating in Nashville, in particular, may be so tough, The Tennessean interviewed Music City's Gen Z and Millennial crowds who have spent their time in the dating trenches.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2025
Separation is accomplished by building elevated tracks, like Metrorail in Miami, or building tunnels or trenches to take trains below street level.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Each robot can operate independently or physically connect with others to handle obstacles such as steps, gaps, trenches, and ledges.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
That's where the Pacific Plate beneath Japan forms the two trenches — the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench — that have caused many large quakes in the past.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
On the practical side, MVBC’s biologists might check desert tortoise fencing for gaps, ensure trenches have escape ramps so wildlife can climb out, and that holes are covered to prevent smaller animals from getting trapped.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
That has included decreasing the practice of flood irrigation, in which water flows through trenches between rows of plants.
—Huma Tariq Malik, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2025
Below are the three most salient lessons from the depths of the speculative fiction trenches.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Morgan Evans, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
To learn why dating in Nashville, in particular, may be so tough, The Tennessean interviewed Music City's Gen Z and Millennial crowds who have spent their time in the dating trenches.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2025
Separation is accomplished by building elevated tracks, like Metrorail in Miami, or building tunnels or trenches to take trains below street level.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Each robot can operate independently or physically connect with others to handle obstacles such as steps, gaps, trenches, and ledges.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025
That's where the Pacific Plate beneath Japan forms the two trenches — the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench — that have caused many large quakes in the past.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
On the practical side, MVBC’s biologists might check desert tortoise fencing for gaps, ensure trenches have escape ramps so wildlife can climb out, and that holes are covered to prevent smaller animals from getting trapped.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
That has included decreasing the practice of flood irrigation, in which water flows through trenches between rows of plants.
—Huma Tariq Malik, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2025
Below are the three most salient lessons from the depths of the speculative fiction trenches.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trenches
Noun
-
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
During this process, radial ditches in the outer ring that forms the distinct circle shape begins to emerge.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are a number of ways to divert excess water away from flower beds, like trenching, extending gutters, or installing a rain barrel.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Ice dams form mainly due to inadequate insulation; escaping heat causes snow to melt than quickly re-freeze in gutters, trapping snow and water and leading to leaks and other damage.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trenches. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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