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
b
: to place (oneself) in a strong defensive position
c
: to establish solidly
entrenched themselves in the business
2
: 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
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
Current district representatives are entrenched in the past, dedicated to a theory of action that undermines most charter schools in Baltimore at every turn.
—
Will McKenna, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2025
Their customer base includes Nvidia, AMD , Intel , AMR, Tesla , and Apple and are deeply entrenched in these company's workflows.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Instead, and contrary to China’s wishes, the war has further entrenched great-power antagonisms among China, Russia, the United States, and Europe.
—Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Legacy platforms are entrenched, and implementation challenges are real.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Will McKenna, Baltimore Sun, 30 July 2025
Their customer base includes Nvidia, AMD , Intel , AMR, Tesla , and Apple and are deeply entrenched in these company's workflows.
—Todd Gordon, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Instead, and contrary to China’s wishes, the war has further entrenched great-power antagonisms among China, Russia, the United States, and Europe.
—Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Legacy platforms are entrenched, and implementation challenges are real.
—Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
Cite this Entry
“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrench. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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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