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
Accordingly, without political or media resistance, CFA has been able to entrench itself statewide and institutionalize antisemitism through the CSU system.
—Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
Some people will be entrenched in their views, and logic has left the room.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
Fonda was in her mid-30s, entrenched in civil rights activism, and horrified by the atrocities of the Vietnam War.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
The Houthis are far from Israel and firmly entrenched in mountainous terrain similar to Afghanistan’s.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
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.
Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
Some people will be entrenched in their views, and logic has left the room.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
Fonda was in her mid-30s, entrenched in civil rights activism, and horrified by the atrocities of the Vietnam War.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
The Houthis are far from Israel and firmly entrenched in mountainous terrain similar to Afghanistan’s.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 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 1 Jan. 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
Share