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
The array of messages from Johnson midway into his term paint a picture of a freshman executive entrenching further into his identity as a Black mayor after two years of steep setbacks and attacks on his leadership abilities.
—
Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
After moving to Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in season four, The Big Bang Theory was firmly entrenched in the top 10.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
This pattern of the industry hijacking public health measures, offering minor concessions to entrench their own interests, continued with other tobacco policies.
—Simar Bajaj / Made By History, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025
An older style of power politics is fast becoming entrenched in other ways, too.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
After moving to Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in season four, The Big Bang Theory was firmly entrenched in the top 10.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
This pattern of the industry hijacking public health measures, offering minor concessions to entrench their own interests, continued with other tobacco policies.
—Simar Bajaj / Made By History, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025
An older style of power politics is fast becoming entrenched in other ways, too.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 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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