entrenched

American  

[en-trencht] / ɛnˈtrɛntʃt /

adjective

1. firmly or solidly established; placed in a position of strength.

   One of the most firmly entrenched ideas of masculinity is that men don't cry.

2. surrounded by trenches dug for defensive purposes.

   Government troops had finally been forced to abandon their entrenched positions, making them vulnerable to ground attack.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of entrench.

Other Word Forms

• unentrenched adjective

Etymology

Origin of entrenched

entrench ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When you're entrenched, you're dug in. Sometimes that means you're literally in a trench, but usually it means you just won't budge from a position or belief. Entrenched things are buried so solidly that they can't move — or just behave like they're firmly lodged in some deep hole. Usually this word refers to views people hold very strongly. Having turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that's entrenched in American culture — it's long been established and isn't going anywhere. When you're entrenched, you're being stubborn or consistent, depending on your view.

Example Sentences

Governing such a state requires balancing competing interests, navigating entrenched divisions and, yes, making decisions that will inevitably anger one side or the other.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

The leap was swift and steep—and grating on consumers already weary from years of entrenched inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

“The longer inflation remains above 2%, the greater the risk that it becomes entrenched in expectations,” he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“I was so entrenched in why women commit acts of crime,” Alloway said, adding that she was disappointed to find that revenge films on the subject still often revolved around men.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Many of these rules have become entrenched in a vast community of English speakers, who respect the rules without ever having to think about them.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• rooted