encroach
verb (used without object)
to advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits; make gradual inroads.
were encroaching
-
past progressiveof encroach.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Analysts told the BBC recently that Islamist insurgents were encroaching on territory, and military leaders had failed in their attempts to bring the military under a single unit of command.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2022
China's big dam builders still had no clearly defined "no go areas" and their current projects were encroaching upon precious marine and mammal habitats in Africa and elsewhere, it said.
From Reuters ● Oct. 15, 2021
But they had a unifying motivation — a deep-rooted, pervasive sense of anxiety about the state of the country, and an anger and frustration at those they felt were encroaching on their way of life.
From New York Times ● Mar. 1, 2016
A horde of fellow perspirers were encroaching on my personal space.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 23, 2015
Inspector Jordan saw however that the countless brokers were encroaching on his territory and stirring up distrust on the part of his better clients.
From The Goose Man by Porterfield, Allen Wilson
