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
With a Labour government entrenched until at least 2029, that’s unlikely to happen anytime, but the big brands are also big planners, and always thinking about the success of the next generation.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
By now, the idea is firmly entrenched: pockets are a given for men’s clothing, but expendable for women’s.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Activists decided the extra hurdle was worth it to entrench Medicaid in areas of the country that had been hostile to the program — thus giving it more protection in Washington.
—Sarah Kliff, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
But when you’re entrenched in the government bureaucracy — at the state or federal level — and dealing with other people’s money, there is no such urgency.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
By now, the idea is firmly entrenched: pockets are a given for men’s clothing, but expendable for women’s.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Activists decided the extra hurdle was worth it to entrench Medicaid in areas of the country that had been hostile to the program — thus giving it more protection in Washington.
—Sarah Kliff, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
But when you’re entrenched in the government bureaucracy — at the state or federal level — and dealing with other people’s money, there is no such urgency.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 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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