Vocabulary in context
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Entrench
To establish or fortify a position, belief, or habit so that it becomes difficult to change; to surround or secure a position by digging trenches.
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Imagine This
Imagine a military outpost that digs a wide trench around a hill and continuously strengthens its walls with stakes and barriers. The more they fortify, the harder it becomes for an enemy to push them back—just like a stubborn idea or policy that becomes hard to change.
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Sounds Like
in-trench
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Looks Like
The word contains 'trench', hinting at a defensive fortification.
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Remember This
Entrench is often used in military, political, legal, and organizational contexts to describe making a position or belief very hard to move or alter.
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Other Forms
entrenchmentnoun
entrenchedadjective
entrenchingpresent participle/gerund
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Connect With
fortify, secure, cement, embed, establish, entrenched, entrenchment
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Note
Entrench is a transitive verb (entrench something) and can be used reflexively as 'entrench oneself.' The adjective form is 'entrenched,' and the noun form is 'entrenchment.'
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The army entrenches its position along the river, digging trenches and building defenses.
- The company seeks to entrench its market position by signing exclusive contracts with key suppliers.
Synonyms
fortifysecureembedcementestablishingrain
Antonyms
undermineweakendismantleerode
Etymology
From en- (in) + trench (a ditch or defensive ditch); originally described surrounding a position with a trench, then extended metaphorically to securing positions or beliefs.
Mnemonic
EN-TRench: En- (in) + trench (a defensive ditch) = to place in a ditch around something, fortifying it so it's hard to move.
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Destitute
adjectiveLacking the basic necessities of life; extremely poor.
Experimentation
nounThe process of conducting tests and trials to discover or verify something; the systematic testing of hypotheses or ideas.
Occasional
adjectiveHappening or appearing only from time to time; not regular or frequent.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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