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
Between 1926 and 1946, Galentz became further entrenched in Beirut’s artistic and intellectual circles at a time that was both politically fragile and saw the transformation of the city into a cosmopolitan hub.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Information asymmetry remains deeply entrenched.
—Meelan Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
True love will not be broken, and neither will entrenched romantic comedy law.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 June 2026
The epiphany for him around the word is entrenched in his experience in a place where Black people are doing everything, and without the watchful eye of White surveillance.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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.
The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Information asymmetry remains deeply entrenched.
—Meelan Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
True love will not be broken, and neither will entrenched romantic comedy law.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 June 2026
The epiphany for him around the word is entrenched in his experience in a place where Black people are doing everything, and without the watchful eye of White surveillance.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 9 June 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 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
