the trenches

plural noun

: a place or situation in which people do very difficult work
These people are working every day down in the trenches to improve the lives of refugees.

Examples of the trenches in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As has been the case since Sanders was hired, Klatt said the Buffaloes must improve in the trenches on offense and defense, something that has yet to be accomplished in the Coach Prime era. — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 This was supposed to be the deepest offensive line Dykes has had and the best since 2022, but there’s no doubt that North Carolina won the battle in the trenches. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026 Antioch’s defensive line — senior Willie Hamilton and Harrison Victor and junior Camryn Mowery — won the trenches the rest of the way. — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 So, too, is winning the battles in the trenches to support a productive running game. — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the trenches

Rhymes for the trenches

See All Rhymes for the trenches

Browse Nearby Words

the Treasury Department
the trenches
the Trinity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The trenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20trenches. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All