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
The fires were encroaching on residential areas and threatened a power plant.
From New York Times ● Aug. 3, 2021
Dehghani-Tafti asked the state Supreme Court in a petition earlier this year to find that the judges were encroaching on her discretion and exceeding their authority with such a “blanket requirement.”
From Washington Post ● Dec. 22, 2020
The first day he called he found five young men who had lingered beyond their appointed hours and were encroaching on his time without the slightest desire to apologize.
From The Victim A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis by Thomas Dixon
