entrenched

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'entrenched' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is firmly established and that is unlikely to change. For example, "The entrenched political beliefs of the party have been difficult to shift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sense of abandonment already deeply entrenched Reporting for the Independent from Aleppo city, Kim Sengupta also detects a a sense of abandonment.

The Guardian

Amal Alamuddin, human rights lawyer and now George Clooney's fiancee, had only been famous a couple of weeks and she already had the gumption to break one of fashion's most entrenched rules.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The battle over free expression has just begun in Iran, with Rouhani and his administration pitted against hardliners, who are deeply entrenched in both parliament and the judiciary.

The Guardian

The grain of sand myth is so entrenched that the V&A has included a video showing precisely how pearls are formed – how tiny tapeworm larvae that live in the digestive systems of animals such as sharks and stingrays are excreted and then, very rarely, manage to get into water-filtering shellfish.

The Guardian - Arts

In its economic outlook the IMF's chief economist, Olivier Blanchard, said that while some financial risks had increased marginally, the recovery was more firmly entrenched than last year.

The Guardian - Money

Despite their success they are so entrenched in the world they represent, they can't see far enough out of it to become role models.

The Guardian

But on the travelling terraces not surrendering to the IRA became entrenched as a key feature of chest-beating nationalism, anti-Irishness a statement of ultra-Englishness.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was possible that the risks to CPI inflation in the medium term might have, if anything, shifted to the upside, but all members were also alert to the downside risk of current low inflation becoming entrenched".

The Guardian - Business

Let's hope that Smith's own long-term journey follows a path of improvement, rather than entrenched mediocrity.

The Guardian - Sport

Viñals said persistent bad debts in the eurozone posed another problem that had so far remained entrenched.

The Guardian - Money

The idea that economic growth can only be achieved through a regrettable but necessary increase in emissions appears firmly entrenched.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "entrenched", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it the difficulty of change, the historical depth, or the widespread acceptance? Choose synonyms accordingly for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "entrenched" repeatedly when describing similar situations in a single piece of writing. Variety in language prevents the text from sounding monotonous. Use synonyms like "ingrained", "deep-seated", or "firmly established" to add depth.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "entrenched" is as a past participle adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they are firmly established and difficult to change. As Ludwig highlights, the word describes something deeply rooted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Arts

2%

Money

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entrenched" is a versatile term used to describe something firmly established and resistant to change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage, supported by a wealth of examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news, business, and academic writing. To enhance your writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and use synonyms to avoid repetition. Being aware of these nuances and best practices will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep-seated

Implies a deeply rooted or ingrained nature, emphasizing the difficulty in removing or changing something.

firmly established

Focuses on the stability and long-standing presence of something.

ingrained

Highlights the deep integration of something into a system, habit, or way of thinking.

deeply rooted

Stresses the historical or fundamental basis of something, making it resistant to change.

well-established

Similar to "firmly established", but can also imply a wider acceptance or recognition.

fixed

Emphasizes the static and unchangeable nature of something.

impregnable

Suggests an inability to be overcome or affected, often used in a more figurative sense.

inveterate

Implies a long-standing habit or practice that is unlikely to change.

hardened

Focuses on the resistance to change or influence that something has developed over time.

inured

Indicates an adaptation or desensitization to something, making it difficult to alter.

FAQs

How is "entrenched" typically used in a sentence?

The word "entrenched" typically describes something (like a belief, habit, or system) that is firmly established and difficult to change. For example: "Corruption is deeply "entrenched" in the system."

What are some alternatives to the word "entrenched"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ingrained", "deeply rooted", ""firmly established"", or "deep-seated".

Is "entrenched" a positive or negative term?

The term "entrenched" is generally neutral, but its connotation depends on the context. It can suggest stability when referring to positive things, or resistance to progress when referring to negative things. For instance, "entrenched values" may be positive, while "entrenched corruption" is negative.

What does it mean for something to be 'deeply entrenched'?

When something is described as 'deeply entrenched', it means it is very firmly established and difficult to change or remove. This intensifies the sense of permanence and resistance to change compared to simply being "entrenched".