entrenched
Group 15Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained GRE
Example in Context
The entrenched interests that benefited from the status quo mounted a well-funded campaign to defeat the proposed reform.
Synonyms
deep-rootedestablishedfixed
Etymology
Dug in deep, making it hard to change or remove.
- in- (Latin) — in
- trench (Old French) — to dig
Memory Aid
🏰Sounds like “in trench”
Imagine a castle IN A TRENCH so deep that no one can ever change its location!
Visual Association
🔒A giant padlock embedded in the ground, symbolizing something firmly secured and difficult to change.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “entrenched” mean on the GRE?
entrenched (adjective) means “Firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained”. The entrenched interests that benefited from the status quo mounted a well-funded campaign to defeat the proposed reform.
How to remember “entrenched” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “entrenched” sounds like “in trench”. Imagine a castle IN A TRENCH so deep that no one can ever change its location!
What are synonyms for “entrenched”?
Common synonyms: deep-rooted, established, fixed.