- present participle of encroach.
encroaching
Americanadjective
-
advancing beyond proper, accepted, or usual limits; making gradual inroads into or onto something.
We cleared out the encroaching weeds along the edge of the driveway and trimmed the plantain trees.
-
trespassing on the property, domain, or rights of another, especially stealthily or gradually.
The hill forts in the British Isles were probably built by the native Britons to defend themselves against encroaching enemy tribes.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of encroaching
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.
Just as wireless companies are encroaching on Charter’s core connectivity business, Charter has also been pushing deeper into the mobile industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
This 2.5-inch lizard lives exclusively in the West Texas dunes, where oil and gas production has been encroaching on its territory, the groups argued.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
And developers have been encroaching on the peaceful coastal village, but "we're still resisting them", she said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Gathering it all in one place makes it feel less like its encroaching on your life.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
The window overlooked a side street, partly protected from the encroaching desert.
From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
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