entrenched

American  

[en-trencht] / ɛnˈtrɛntʃt /

adjective

1. firmly or solidly established; placed in a position of strength.

   One of the most firmly entrenched ideas of masculinity is that men don't cry.

2. surrounded by trenches dug for defensive purposes.

   Government troops had finally been forced to abandon their entrenched positions, making them vulnerable to ground attack.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of entrench.

Other Word Forms

• unentrenched adjective

Etymology

Origin of entrenched

entrench ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

It entrenched a rivalry between the two families that would define the country's politics for decades.

From Barron's

In a referendum held 13 years ago, Zimbabweans overwhelmingly voted for a new constitution that introduced presidential term limits when Mugabe's grip on power seemed entrenched - he had ruled the country since independence in 1980.

From BBC

“The longer inflation remains above target, the greater the probability that higher inflation will become entrenched in expectations,” she said.

From Barron's

It would demonstrate that grassroots movements can overcome entrenched special interests.

From The Wall Street Journal

The new index was widely expected to be rolled out last month, but Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo said recently that the government would only proceed after Milei’s measures to control runaway inflation are entrenched.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• rooted