the trenches
plural noun
: a place or situation in which people do very difficult work
These people are working every day down in the trenches to improve the lives of refugees.
Examples of the trenches in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brad Lander boasts of spending two decades working in the trenches as a community activist in his Brooklyn neighborhood before winning races for City Council and even comptroller.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
Penei Sewell is working to restore the Lions’ dominance in the trenches.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 June 2026
As strong of an offseason as Smith has had, the true test, like for all linemen in the trenches, will be once pads come on during training camp.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026
Thomas Whitaker, who died in the trenches carrying a postcard from Bradford, in north east England, where some of his relations still live.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the trenches
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Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
Penei Sewell is working to restore the Lions’ dominance in the trenches.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 June 2026
As strong of an offseason as Smith has had, the true test, like for all linemen in the trenches, will be once pads come on during training camp.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026
Thomas Whitaker, who died in the trenches carrying a postcard from Bradford, in north east England, where some of his relations still live.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the trenches
Cite this Entry
“The trenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20trenches. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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