Standard Lemma guide

entrench

verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ɪnˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/
  • UK: /ɛnˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/
  • Canada, General-American: /ɛnˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/
  • US, pin-pen-merger: /ɪnˈtɹɪnt͡ʃ/
  • Australian: /ɪnˈtɹent͡ʃ/
  • Queensland Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • New-Zealand: /ənˈtɹent͡ʃ/
  • rhymes with -ɛntʃ
  • CMU ARPABET: EH0 N T R EH1 N CH Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.

To dig or excavate a trench; to trench.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, literally

Topics: archaeology, business, construction, history, human-sciences, manufacturing, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.

To surround or provide with a trench, especially for defense; to dig in.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, literally

Topics: government, military, politics, war

Examples

  • The army entrenched its camp, or entrenched itself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

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.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To establish a substantial position in business, politics, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, figuratively

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

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.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

fix firmly or securely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: intrench

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: fasten, fix, secure

8

verb

Meaning 8

occupy a trench or secured area

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The troops dug in for the night

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dig in

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

impinge or infringe upon

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This impinges on my rights as an individual
  • This matter entrenches on other domains

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: impinge, encroach, trench

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: trespass, take advantage

History

Etymology

From en- + trench. First attested in the 1550s.

Across languages

Translations

41 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: graven — dig
  • German: graben — dig
  • German: ausheben — dig
  • Italian: scavare — dig
  • Italian: sterrare — dig
  • Armenian: խրամապատել (xramapatel) — surround with a trench
  • Chinese Mandarin: 挖掘壕沟 — surround with a trench
  • Czech: obehnat zákopem — surround with a trench
  • Dutch: ingraven — surround with a trench
  • French: retrancher — surround with a trench
  • German: eingraben — surround with a trench
  • German: verschanzen — surround with a trench
  • German: mit einen Graben umgeben — surround with a trench
  • Italian: trincerare — surround with a trench
  • Italian: fortificare — surround with a trench
  • Latin: infossō — surround with a trench
  • Latin: circumfossō — surround with a trench
  • Norwegian: forskanse — surround with a trench
  • Portuguese: entrincheirar — surround with a trench
  • Russian: окапывать (okapyvatʹ) — surround with a trench
  • Russian: окапываться (okapyvatʹsja) — surround with a trench
  • Slovak: obkopať — surround with a trench
  • Spanish: atrincherar — surround with a trench
  • Chinese Mandarin: 巩固 (gǒnggù) — establish financial position
  • Czech: zakotvit — establish financial position
  • Czech: zakořenit — establish financial position
  • Czech: usadit — establish financial position
  • Czech: usadit se — establish financial position
  • Dutch: zich vestigen — establish financial position
  • German: Fuß fassen — establish financial position
  • German: etablieren — establish financial position
  • German: festigen — establish financial position
  • Italian: rafforzare — establish financial position
  • Italian: consolidare — establish financial position
  • Italian: cementare — establish financial position
  • Italian: potenziare — establish financial position
  • Italian: rinforzare — establish financial position
  • Norwegian: befeste — establish financial position
  • Norwegian: styrke — establish financial position
  • Spanish: atrincherar — establish financial position
  • Swedish: befästa — establish financial position