encroach

[en-krohch]

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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.

Origin of encroach

1275–1325; Middle English encrochen < Anglo-French encrocher, Old French encrochier to catch hold of, seize, equivalent to en- en-¹ + -crochier, verbal derivative of croc hook < Germanic; see crooked, crook¹

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

Synonyms for encroach

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1, 2. See trespass.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for encroaching

intrude, infringe, trespass, usurp, impinge, overstep, crash, arrogate, intervene, interpose, interfere, trench, appropriate, entrench, meddle

Examples from the Web for encroaching

Contemporary Examples of encroaching

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
“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
“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
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
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

Historical Examples of encroaching

I then placed sentinels to prevent the crowd from encroaching on us.
Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-'61
Abner Doubleday
He had no thought of encroaching upon the lands of the Indians, or of erecting any forts in antagonism to them.
The Adventures of the Chevalier De La Salle and His Companions, in Their Explorations of the Prairies, Forests, Lakes, and Rivers, of the New World, and Their Interviews with the Savage Tribes, Two Hundred Years Ago
John S. C. Abbott
In spite of the headwind, the fire was encroaching forward as well as aft.
Chatterbox, 1906
Various
The encroaching British were working their way into every open water in America.
All Afloat
William Wood
No encroaching politeness in the act, but kindness, unadorned.
The Confidence-Man
Herman Melville

British Dictionary definitions for encroaching

encroach

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 Formsencroacher, 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

Word Origin and History for encroaching

encroach

early 14c., "acquire, get," from Old French encrochier "seize, fasten on, hang on (to), cling (to); hang up, suspend," literally "to catch with a hook," from en- "in" (see en- (1)) + croc "hook," from Old Norse krokr "hook" (see crook). Meaning "seize wrongfully" is from c.1400. Sense of "trespass" is first recorded 1530s. Related: Encroached; encroaches; encroaching.