entrench Hear it!

entrench Definition

en·trench (en trenc̸h, in-)

transitive verb

  1. to surround or fortify with a trench or trenches
  2. to establish securely: used in the passive voice or with a reflexive pronoun an official entrenched in office
  3. to cut down into, as by erosion, so as to form a trough or trench

Etymology: en- + trench

intransitive verb

to encroach or infringe (on or upon)

entrench Related Forms
en·trench·ment noun
entrench Synonyms

entrench

v.

  1. To surround

    fortify, dig in, barricade, protect; see defend 1, surround 2.

  2. To trespass

    encroach, infringe, invade; see meddle 1.

entrench Usage Examples

Object

  • stability: The decision on the single currency should be taken on the basis of whether joining would entrench the stability or not.
  • inequality: They violate freedom of religion enshrined in India's constitution and serve only to entrench communal inequality.
  • tool: He doesn't know a shelter half from an entrenching tool.
  • division: Supporters of integrated education say faith schools have entrenched religious division in the province, a claim rejected by Church leaders.
  • democracy: But most Portuguese are instinctively pro-EU, aware of how membership since 1985 has helped to entrench democracy after four decades of dictatorship.
  • attitude: In the case of the National Health Service very deeply entrenched emotional attitudes were disturbed.

Preposition: on

  • bank: As the French still had not stirred the Imperialists advanced and entrenched on the opposite bank of the stream, only 40 meters away.

Adjective complement

  • moneyed: Shop managers have and whose members even entrenched moneyed exceed the revenue.

Modifying Another Word

  • firmly: We are still firmly entrenched in the modern era.
  • deeply: Perhaps a better translation, without our deeply entrenched notions, would be ' count ' .
  • strongly: No lust is too mighty, no besetting sin too strongly entrenched; we can overcome through the power of Christ.
  • well: The test of remoteness was one well entrenched in common law.
  • so: Why are Bromley Council so entrenched, and insensitive to public opinion?
  • too: People are too entrenched in their current ways of working.

Preposition: in

  • constitution: Rights, including rights of wildlife, are entrenched in the constitution.
  • culture: How has he managed to do so in an industry entrenched in the long hours culture?
  • society: You have to solve problems that are entrenched in society.
  • position: Reverse role plays can be used to help people entrenched in one position think more flexibly.
  • law: He also hoped that human rights could become civil rights entrenched in law.
  • community: Enlisting the support of local people and services can break down the barriers to learning that have become so deeply entrenched in many communities.

Browse dictionary entries near entrench

  1. entremets
  2. entree
  3. entrechat
  4. entrecôte
  5. entreaty
  6. entreat
  7. entre nous (French)
  8. entre nous
  9. entrapment
  10. entrap
  1. entrenched
  2. entrepôt
  3. entrepreneur
  4. entresol
  5. entropy
  6. entrust
  7. entry
  8. entry-level
  9. entryway
  10. entwine