trenches

NOUN

ditch, channel dug in earth

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dike foxhole gorge gully moat pit trough waterway

STRONG

arroyo canal cut depression drain drill dugout earthwork entrenchment excavation fosse furrow gulch gutter hollow main rut sink tube

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s something that we’ve been at, in the trenches, for months. We started preparations around seven or eight months ago and once you decide to go public, that’s the goal.”

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Most other moms I talked to when I was in the breastfeeding trenches were probably experiencing a dopamine dip that was subtle and regulated.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

Franz Rosenzweig started his most provocative work of philosophy in the trenches of World War I.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

They’ve found dozens of places where deep trenches are planned under oak and pine trees that survived the fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

And many men also suffered from trench mouth, a severe bacterial infection of the gums, another hazard of life in the trenches, caused by poor diet, poor hygiene, and smoking.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman