entrench

[en-trench]

See more synonyms for entrench 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

See more synonyms for entrench on Thesaurus.com

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 entrench

Contemporary Examples

In 1905, a group of Indians from a variety of native peoples united to entrench “tribal sovereignty” against federal power.
One U.S. Constitution Just Wasn’t Enough
Tom Arnold-Forster
July 4, 2014
The peace treaty was also a chance to distract from his interest in working to entrench Israel sovereignty over the West Bank.
Rubio Needs A Lesson In Peace Process History
Brent E. Sasley
February 25, 2013
A dogmatic person will entrench himself in his dearly held beliefs and vigorously fight that truth.
Republicans: Check Your Premises
November 9, 2012
That means, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently noted, that a military strike will likely entrench Iranian tyranny.
The Right's Democracy Hypocrisy
Peter Beinart
December 6, 2010

Historical Examples

They entrench themselves in fortresses against the Indians and wild beasts.
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne
Some entrench the gates, or bring up supply of stones and poles.
The Aeneid of Virgil
Virgil
The convicts might entrench themselves at that point, and defend it.
In Search of the Castaways
Jules Verne
But we will entrench and defend ourselves till your return.'
Our Home in the Silver West
Gordon Stables
"Every time you bribe these rascals for a franchise you entrench them," he cried.
A Far Country, Complete
Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for entrench

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 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 entrench

Contemporary Examples

In 1905, a group of Indians from a variety of native peoples united to entrench “tribal sovereignty” against federal power.

The peace treaty was also a chance to distract from his interest in working to entrench Israel sovereignty over the West Bank.

A dogmatic person will entrench himself in his dearly held beliefs and vigorously fight that truth.

That means, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently noted, that a military strike will likely entrench Iranian tyranny.

Historical Examples

They entrench themselves in fortresses against the Indians and wild beasts.

Some entrench the gates, or bring up supply of stones and poles.

The convicts might entrench themselves at that point, and defend it.

But we will entrench and defend ourselves till your return.'

"Every time you bribe these rascals for a franchise you entrench them," he cried.

entrench

intrench

Word Origin and History for entrench

v.

Origin of entrench