Meaning

(literally) To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon..

Definitions by Sense

1. (literally) To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.
2. To become completely absorbed in and fully accept one's beliefs, even in the face of evidence against it and refusing to be reasoned with.
3. To establish a substantial position in business, politics, etc.
4. To invade; to encroach; to infringe or trespass; to enter on, and take possession of, that which belongs to another; usually followed by on or upon.

Example Sentences

It was this very sword entrenched it.

His face Deep scars of thunder had entrenched.

Senator Cornpone was able to entrench by spending millions on each campaign.

Given these entrenched ideological assumptions about the colonial order, it is no wonder that the state and those groups with an interest in the status quo viewed with suspicion and hostility any challenges to the fixed and "natural" boundaries between different sorts of people.

For London to have its own exclusive immigration policy would exacerbate the sense that immigration benefits only certain groups and disadvantages the rest. It would entrench the gap between London and the rest of the nation. And it would widen the breach between the public and the elite that has helped fuel anti-immigrant hostility.

Word Forms

• entrenches
• entrenching
• entrenched
• intrench

Synonyms for entrench

Related Words

When Should You Use Entrench?

Use entrench when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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