encroaching

American  

[en-kroh-ching] / ɛnˈkroʊ tʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• unencroaching adjective

Etymology

Origin of encroaching

encroach ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

It’s about territory, and one side is encroaching on the other’s home turf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Starring a stacked Guatemalan cast, including actor Tony Revolori, the project underlined the encroaching impacts of climate change that corrode once treasured memories, including those of Moreno, who grew up visiting the vacation destination.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Under the tropical sun, vegetation has been encroaching on the vast concrete and metal structures that once vented flames created by giant rockets blasting off into space.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

"They had to do this under this huge pressure of an encroaching red level storm that had the potential to completely derail the investigation and wash all of the evidence away."

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

She was to have been the answer to his unstated, unacknowledged question—where was the life to counter the encroaching nonlife?

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• combative
• contentious
• destructive
• intrusive
• threatening