encroach

[en-krohch]

verb (used without object)

1. to advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits; make gradual inroads.

   A dictatorship of the majority is encroaching on the rights of the individual.

2. to trespass upon the property, domain, or rights of another, especially stealthily or by gradual advances.

encroach

/ ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to intrude gradually, stealthily, or insidiously upon the rights, property, etc, of another

2. to advance beyond the usual or proper limits

Other Word Forms

• encroacher noun
• unencroached adjective
• encroachment noun
• encroachingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of encroach¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English encrochen, from Anglo-French encrocher, Old French encrochier “to catch hold of, seize,” equivalent to en- en- ¹ + -crochier, verbal derivative of croc “hook,” from Germanic; crooked, crook ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of encroach¹

C14: from Old French encrochier to seize, literally: fasten upon with hooks, from _en- ¹ + croc hook, of Germanic origin; see _crook

Synonym Study

See trespass.

Example Sentences

Roughly midway through, Pynchon’s characters hightail it all the way to proto-fascist Budapest, where shadows more lethal than any Tommy gun begin to encroach.

From Los Angeles Times

Add in encroaching fascism, and it just felt like too much.

From Salon

Throughout the play, this “law and order” blue encroaches on the existence of every color selected by Torres.

From Los Angeles Times

Human settlements have encroached paths of rivers and floodplains, both in the mountains and plains, blocking their way.

From BBC

Signs have now been erected by the Thai authorities warning Cambodians that they have been illegally encroaching on Thai territory.

From BBC

Related Words

• horn in 
• impinge 
• infringe 
• intrude 
• trespass 
• usurp