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
Historically, anti-LGBTQ laws have been entrenched in many parts of Africa, a predominantly conservative continent.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
But in South Carolina, where opposition to government mandates is firmly entrenched, that's unlikely to happen.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
The brooding aesthetic that usually entrenches a McQueen show was given a bit of levity in Seán McGirr’s fall collection.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
It was further entrenched in the country’s system by his successor.
—Emma Graham,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
But in South Carolina, where opposition to government mandates is firmly entrenched, that's unlikely to happen.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
The brooding aesthetic that usually entrenches a McQueen show was given a bit of levity in Seán McGirr’s fall collection.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
It was further entrenched in the country’s system by his successor.
—Emma Graham,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 11 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 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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