Entrenched Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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entrenched

[ɪnˈtren(t)ʃt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in politics

Firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change, especially with regard to an attitude or belief.

Synonyms

deep-rooted, established, fixed, ingrained, unchanging.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
entrenched	Often used to describe beliefs, attitudes, or systems that are very firmly established and difficult to change. This term can imply something negative or resistant to change. The company's culture of micromanagement is deeply entrenched. Old traditions remain entrenched in society despite modern influences.
established	Used to describe something that is set up or accepted for a long period, such as institutions, practices, or routines. The restaurant is an established favorite in the neighborhood. He follows an established morning routine.
ingrained	Often used for habits or beliefs that are deeply embedded in a person or culture, implying a strong resistance to change. His prejudices are deeply ingrained. Ingrained habits can be difficult to break.
deep-rooted	Typically refers to feelings, beliefs, or practices that have existed for a long time and are firmly established. He has a deep-rooted fear of failure. Deep-rooted customs are passed down through generations.
fixed	This word suggests that something is securely in place and not likely to change. It can be used for physical objects, schedules, prices, or opinions. The schedule is fixed and cannot be altered. She has a fixed mindset about the issue.
unchanging	Refers to something that remains the same over time, particularly when there is an expectation or possibility that it could change. The landscape of the village has remained unchanging for centuries. Her unchanging dedication to the cause is admirable.

Examples of usage

The party's entrenched leadership refused to consider any changes to their policies.
Despite growing public opposition, the entrenched government officials remained in power.
Her entrenched views on the subject made it difficult to have a constructive conversation.
The company's entrenched practices hindered innovation and progress.
Breaking free from the entrenched mindset was a challenge for the team.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in warfare

To establish an attitude, habit, or belief so firmly that change is very difficult.

Synonyms

embed, establish, fortify, root, secure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
entrenched	used to describe something that is very firmly established and difficult to change, often with a negative connotation. The company's policies are so entrenched that it's almost impossible to implement new ideas. Old traditions are deeply entrenched in their culture.
establish	used for creating or starting something that is meant to last or has become recognized. They worked hard to establish a successful business. It’s important to establish rules early in a project.
fortify	used when making something stronger, often in a physical or defensive sense. They decided to fortify the walls to protect against the invaders. Drinking orange juice can fortify your immune system.
secure	used to describe making something safe or obtaining something with confidence. We need to secure the perimeter to ensure everyone's safety. She managed to secure a spot at the prestigious university.
embed	used when something is firmly fixed into another thing, often physically or figuratively. The technician embedded the microchip into the device. These values are embedded in our training programs.
root	used to describe something that is deeply and fundamentally connected to a place, culture, idea, or feeling. His love for the countryside is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences. The problem is rooted in the lack of education.

Examples of usage

The soldiers entrenched themselves behind the barricades.
The general ordered the troops to entrench their position.
It is important to entrench good behavior from a young age.
The negative experiences had entrenched a fear of failure in her mind.
The company's success was entrenched in its commitment to quality.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Entrenched beliefs can make it harder for people to accept new information that challenges their views.
The concept of cognitive dissonance explains why people resist changing entrenched attitudes.
Habitual behaviors are often entrenched, forming pathways in the brain that make them automatic.

Politics

In politics, entrenched interests refer to powerful groups that resist change to maintain their influence.
Legislation can become entrenched, making it challenging to amend or repeal laws due to strong political support.
Political parties can become entrenched in their ways, making collaborations across boundaries difficult.

Literature

Literary works often explore themes of entrenched social norms and the struggles of characters against them.
Classic novels frequently depict entrenched class systems that characters attempt to navigate or challenge.
Entrenched ideas in literature can symbolize broader societal issues, prompting readers to question their persistence.

Education

In teaching, entrenched teaching methods can limit innovation and adaptation to new learning styles.
Entrenched educational disparities reflect systemic challenges in access to quality education.
Effective reform often requires addressing entrenched attitudes in educational policy and practice.

Origin of 'entrenched'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the verb 'entrench', which means to establish something firmly.
Its roots trace back to the Latin word 'intringere', meaning to 'trench in' or 'dig in'.
Originally used in military contexts to describe soldiers securing themselves in a fortified position.

The word 'entrenched' originated from the military term 'entrench', which dates back to the late 18th century. It originally referred to soldiers digging trenches for defense in warfare. Over time, the term evolved to also describe firmly established beliefs or attitudes that are difficult to change. The prefix 'en-' signifies 'to put into' or 'to make', while 'trench' refers to a long, narrow ditch. Thus, 'entrenched' metaphorically conveys the idea of something deeply rooted or firmly established.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,498, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12495 enjoin
12496 thrift
12497 peritoneal
12498 entrenched
12499 alternatively
12500 marketable
12501 hurriedly
...