entrench
en|trench /ɪntr'entʃ/ (entrenches entrenching entrenched)
[VERB] V n, V pron-refl
If something such as power, a custom, or an idea is entrenched, it is firmly established, so that it would be difficult to change it.
...a series of measures designed to entrench democracy and the rule of law...
These dictators have entrenched themselves politically and are difficult to move.
● entrenched [ADJ]
The recession remains deeply entrenched.
[VERB] V n, V pron-refl
If something such as power, a custom, or an idea is entrenched, it is firmly established, so that it would be difficult to change it.
...a series of measures designed to entrench democracy and the rule of law...
These dictators have entrenched themselves politically and are difficult to move.
● entrenched [ADJ]
The recession remains deeply entrenched.