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
Synonyms
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
Recent efforts to address health disparities have run headlong into racist policies still entrenched in health systems.
—
Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But a practical solution will yield better results, because yards and landscaping are still entrenched in American life.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024
Creating instability, forcing the leader to entrench, and forming a Soviet-style protection bureaucracy around him of statist mafias, KGB variants - that too is a protocol the world has witnessed aplenty.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
She's entrenched in a close race for the state with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entrench 
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Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But a practical solution will yield better results, because yards and landscaping are still entrenched in American life.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024
Creating instability, forcing the leader to entrench, and forming a Soviet-style protection bureaucracy around him of statist mafias, KGB variants - that too is a protocol the world has witnessed aplenty.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
She's entrenched in a close race for the state with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entrench
Dictionary Entries Near entrench
Cite this Entry
“Entrench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrench. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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