entrench

[en-trench]

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to place in a position of strength; establish firmly or solidly: safely entrenched behind undeniable facts.
to dig trenches for defensive purposes around (oneself, a military position, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to encroach; trespass; infringe (usually followed by on or upon): to entrench on the domain or rights of another.

Also intrench.

Origin of entrench

First recorded in 1545–55; en-¹ + trench

Related formsre·en·trench, verbun·en·trenched, adjective

Synonyms

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1. settle, ensconce, set, implant, embed.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for entrenched

Contemporary Examples

There is the fact that in many of these states Democratic legislatures are entrenched, and voters are looking for a counterweight.
Return of the Northeastern Republican
David Freedlander
November 4, 2014
Jazz is now entrenched in high schools and colleges, and gets honored with Pulitzer Prizes and genius grants.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?
Ted Gioia
November 2, 2014
A few days ago, he criticized his home state of Alabama for its entrenched prejudice.
Tim Cook: Why ‘I’m Gay’ Isn’t Enough
Tim Teeman
October 30, 2014
Football is simply too beloved and entrenched—too big to fail, in essence.
How the Media Failed to Nail the NFL
Steve Almond
October 19, 2014
Even with its large market capitalization, Tesla on its own is no match for entrenched political lobbies.
Tesla’s Radical Patent Move is a Plot to Take Over the Road
Daniel Gross
June 15, 2014

Historical Examples

At night these animals have to be packed closely in an entrenched camp.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
Turn a perfectly sound, entrenched business into a blue-sky factory?
The Big Tomorrow
Paul Lohrman
He meant supremely to be safe, and to that end he had entrenched himself on every side.
The Prisoner
Alice Brown
The entrenched Turks were strong enough to withstand the attack of the Bulgarian forces.
Bulgaria
Frank Fox
The Germans were entrenched in the gardens and walled enclosures of the village.
The Young Franc Tireurs
G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for entrenched

entrench

intrench

verb

(tr) to construct (a defensive position) by digging trenches around it
(tr) to fix or establish firmly, esp so as to prevent removal or change
(intr; foll by on or upon) to trespass or encroach; infringe

Derived Formsentrenched or intrenched, adjectiveentrencher or intrencher, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for entrenched

entrench

v.

1550s, implied in intrenched, from en- (1) "make, put in" + trench. Figurative use is from 1590s. Related: Entrenched; entrenching.

entrench

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}entrench

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for entrenched

Contemporary Examples

There is the fact that in many of these states Democratic legislatures are entrenched, and voters are looking for a counterweight.

Jazz is now entrenched in high schools and colleges, and gets honored with Pulitzer Prizes and genius grants.

A few days ago, he criticized his home state of Alabama for its entrenched prejudice.

Football is simply too beloved and entrenched—too big to fail, in essence.

Even with its large market capitalization, Tesla on its own is no match for entrenched political lobbies.

Historical Examples

At night these animals have to be packed closely in an entrenched camp.

Turn a perfectly sound, entrenched business into a blue-sky factory?

He meant supremely to be safe, and to that end he had entrenched himself on every side.

The entrenched Turks were strong enough to withstand the attack of the Bulgarian forces.

The Germans were entrenched in the gardens and walled enclosures of the village.

entrench

intrench

Word Origin and History for entrenched

entrench

v.

Origin of entrench