Definition

1. Verb:
   • To establish something very firmly and securely, making it difficult to change or remove: This meaning describes fixing a position, idea, or practice so solidly that it becomes a permanent or powerful feature.
   • To dig a trench or construct a defensive position: In a military context, this refers to the act of digging in and fortifying a position with trenches.
   • To encroach or infringe upon something: This is a less common, formal meaning indicating that something intrudes on or violates the rights or domain of another.

Usage and Examples

• To establish firmly:
  • The new policies will entrench the company's dominance in the market.
  • Prejudices can become entrenched in a society over many generations.
• To dig defensive trenches:
  • The soldiers were ordered to entrench themselves on the hilltop before nightfall.
  • The entrenched positions along the front line made an advance very difficult.
• To encroach upon (formal/rare):
  • The new regulation does not entrench upon the rights of citizens. (This usage is often seen in legal or formal writing.)

Advanced Usage and Grammatical Notes

• Often used in passive voice: The concept of being firmly established is frequently expressed with the past participle "entrenched."
  • Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system.
• Reflexive use: Commonly used with "oneself" to mean establishing a secure defensive or figurative position.
  • The CEO entrenched herself by appointing loyal allies to the board.

Variants and Related Words

• Entrenched (adjective): Firmly established and difficult to change.
  • They faced entrenched opposition to their reforms.
• Entrenchment (noun):
  • The process of entrenching or the state of being entrenched.

    • The entrenchment of these habits took years.
  • A system of trenches dug for defense.

    • The army built a complex entrenchment around the fortress.

Synonyms

• Establish firmly: Embed, ingrain, root, lodge, ensconce.
• Fortify with trenches: Dig in, fortify.
• Encroach: Impinge, infringe, trespass, intrude.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To become entrenched: To become firmly fixed or established over time.
  • The idea had become entrenched in the public consciousness.
• Deeply entrenched: Used as an intensifier to describe something very firmly established.
  • The tradition is deeply entrenched in our culture.

Verb

1. occupy a trench or secured area
   • The troops dug in for the night
2. impinge or infringe upon
   • This impinges on my rights as an individual
   • This matter entrenches on other domains
3. fix firmly or securely