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
There also seems to be something about people who are already corrupt entrenching themselves in anti-establishment right-wing politics.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Under the guise of a civilizing mission, the empire of AI is accelerating its global expansion and entrenching its power.
—Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
Would Washington wait until AI harms were rampant and entrenched before responding?
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Big Tech’s power deepened further in late 2022 with the debut of large language models and the subsequent explosion of artificial intelligence—a breakthrough technology that has entrenched the tech industry’s lead over nation-states.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
Under the guise of a civilizing mission, the empire of AI is accelerating its global expansion and entrenching its power.
—Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
Would Washington wait until AI harms were rampant and entrenched before responding?
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Big Tech’s power deepened further in late 2022 with the debut of large language models and the subsequent explosion of artificial intelligence—a breakthrough technology that has entrenched the tech industry’s lead over nation-states.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 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 22 May. 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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