Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense encroaches, present participle encroaching, past tense, past participle encroached
1. verb
If one thing encroacheson another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing.
[formal, disapproval]
I knew that unless work encroached upon my family time, no work could get done. [VERBon/upon noun]
The new institutions do not encroach on political power. [VERB + on/upon]
The movie industry had chosen to ignore the encroaching competition of television. [VERB-ing]
[Also VERB]
2. verb
If something encroacheson a place, it spreads and takes over more and more of that place.
[formal]
The rhododendrons encroached ever more on the twisting drive. [VERB + on]
I turned into the dirt road and followed it through encroaching trees and bushes. [VERB-ing]
[Also V prep/adv, V]
More Synonyms of encroach
encroach in British English
(ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ)
verb(intransitive)
1. (often foll byon or upon)
to intrude gradually, stealthily, or insidiously upon the rights, property, etc, of another
2.
to advance beyond the usual or proper limits
Derived forms
encroacher (enˈcroacher)
noun
encroachingly (enˈcroachingly)
adverb
encroachment (enˈcroachment)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French encrochier to seize, literally: fasten upon with hooks, from en-1 + croc hook, of Germanic origin; see crook
encroach in American English
(ɛnˈkroʊtʃ; ɪnˈkroʊtʃ)
verb intransitive
1.
to trespass or intrude (on or upon the rights, property, etc. of another), esp. in a gradual or sneaking way
2.
to advance beyond the proper, original, or customary limits; make inroads (on or upon)
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtrespass
Derived forms
encroachment (enˈcroachment)
noun
Word origin
ME encrochen < OFr encrochier, to seize upon, take < en-, in + croc, croche, a hook: see crosier
Examples of 'encroach' in a sentence
encroach
Deer which carry ticks are also increasingly encroaching in suburban areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This was now encroaching on my territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If you are in love, anyone encroaching on your territory will prompt insecurity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And the sense of some grand, encroaching darkness is at the edge of all these very different poets.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Any other action would have meant encroaching on the territory of others, using means and resources for which he was not qualified.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
In other languages
encroach
British English: encroach VERB
If one thing encroaches on another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing.
The new institutions do not encroach on political power.
American English: encroach
Brazilian Portuguese: usurpar
Chinese: 逐步侵犯
European Spanish: usurpar
French: empiéter
German: übergreifen auf
Italian: invadere
Japanese: >侵害する他人の権利などを
Korean: ~을 침해하다
European Portuguese: usurpar
Latin American Spanish: usurpar
(verb)
Definition
to intrude gradually on someone's rights or on a piece of land
He doesn't like people to encroach on his territory.
Synonyms
intrude
He kept intruding with personal questions.
invade
trespass
They were trespassing on private property.
infringe
usurp
impinge
trench
overstep
make inroads
impose yourself
Additional synonyms
in the sense of trespass
Definition
to go onto somebody else's property without permission