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
Same goes for the other key core members, many of whom — like Brandon Miller, Tre Mann and Grant Williams — were entrenched in the row of sets behind the team’s bench.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2025
Of course, that nothing much will change was largely self-evident by the fact that this NPC follows on the heels of last July’s third CCP plenum, where long-term goals were laid out: bolstering party-state capitalism, countering U.S. containment, boosting innovation, and entrenching loyalty to Xi.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
But this silence comes at a cost, stifling innovation and entrenching outdated methods.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
Kyiv has repeatedly warned that freezing the battlefront would allow Moscow to fortify its positions, entrench in occupied territory and rearm to come back for more.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entrench
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Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2025
Of course, that nothing much will change was largely self-evident by the fact that this NPC follows on the heels of last July’s third CCP plenum, where long-term goals were laid out: bolstering party-state capitalism, countering U.S. containment, boosting innovation, and entrenching loyalty to Xi.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
But this silence comes at a cost, stifling innovation and entrenching outdated methods.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
Kyiv has repeatedly warned that freezing the battlefront would allow Moscow to fortify its positions, entrench in occupied territory and rearm to come back for more.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 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 13 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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