encroach

[ en-krohch ]

/ ɛnˈkroʊtʃ /

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See synonyms for: encroach / encroaching / encroacher on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits; make gradual inroads: A dictatorship of the majority is encroaching on the rights of the individual.

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

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Origin of encroach

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; see crooked, crook¹

synonym study for encroach

1, 2. See trespass.

OTHER WORDS FROM encroach

en·croach·er, nounun·en·croached, adjectiveun·en·croach·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use encroach in a sentence

Yet even with that information in hand, the report’s unidentified author expressed concern that the FBI might be encroaching on free speech rights.
FBI report warned of ‘war’ at Capitol, contradicting claims there was no indication of looming violence|Devlin Barrett, Matt Zapotosky|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
If we allow the principle of digital sovereignty to encroach further, cloud service providers will be bound by national interests, and consumers will bear significant costs.
The balkanization of the cloud is bad for everyone|Amy Nordrum|December 17, 2020|MIT Technology Review
I began to miss rural Pennsylvania as the pandemic encroached into summer.
Mushroom Hunting at the End of the World|Danny Palumbo|November 12, 2020|Eater
The flexibility did carry an occasional side effect of home life encroaching on the working world, and vice versa, often providing a uniquely 2020 kind of amusement.
‘Call of Duty’ voice actors spent the summer on video calls like the rest of us|Mike Hume|November 11, 2020|Washington Post

The timing of the regulatory changes proposed by Beijing was a statement unto itself, since it encroached on Singles Day, the ultimate showcase of Alibaba’s sway.
Nov. 11 is Alibaba’s biggest day of the year. Beijing rained on the parade|eamonbarrett|November 11, 2020|Fortune
The parallels Hong Kong readers find between the encroaching Titans and China have made it a huge success there.
This Author Kills More Darlings Than George R.R. Martin|David Levesley|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Scorched earth,” historically, means destroying land to deprive the encroaching enemy of its use.
Israel Creates ‘No Man’s Land’ in Gaza, Shrinking Strip by 40 Percent|Jesse Rosenfeld|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I realized these rude people were encroaching upon my personal life—my own fault, mind you—for opening the door,” he said.
Twitter's TV Wars|Jace Lacob|November 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
When he falls in love with human Grace, he must fight the encroaching winter and the change it will bring.
Spring's Big YA Books|Shannon Donnelly|March 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Or will this encroaching uneasiness with Obama stay limited to this one snapshot in time in this one Southern state?
Are Blacks Abandoning Obama?|Lloyd Grove|December 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Campbell smiled and said, "she is encroaching on your goodness already, Madam, and would bring all my family with her."
The Adopted Daughter|Elizabeth Sandham
Encroaching upon functions of subordinates prohibited; orders to be definite.
Manual of Military Training|James A. Moss
The dense shadows as yet unconquered by the encroaching whiteness gave the Campagna the aspect of a desert.
The conquest of Rome|Matilde Serao
Islam has neither intention nor design of encroaching upon the spiritual preserves of Christendom.
Islam Her Moral And Spiritual Value|Arthur Glyn Leonard
In no long time after this the town was wholly absorbed by the encroaching waters.
The Rivers of Great Britain: Rivers of the East Coast|Various

British Dictionary definitions for encroach

encroach

/ (ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ) /

verb (intr)

(often foll by on or upon) to intrude gradually, stealthily, or insidiously upon the rights, property, etc, of another

to advance beyond the usual or proper limits

Derived forms of encroach

encroacher, nounencroachingly, adverbencroachment, noun

Word Origin for encroach

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

encroach

Origin of encroach

synonym study for encroach

OTHER WORDS FROM encroach

Words related to encroach

How to use encroach in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for encroach

Derived forms of encroach

Word Origin for encroach