encroach

verb

en·​croach in-ˈkrōch 

en-

encroached; encroaching; encroaches

intransitive verb

1

: to enter by gradual steps or by stealth into the possessions or rights of another

2

: to advance beyond the usual or proper limits

the gradually encroaching sea

encroacher noun

encroachment

in-ˈkrōch-mənt 

en-

noun

Did you know?

The history behind encroach is likely to hook you in. The word derives from the Middle English encrochen, which means "to get or seize." The Anglo-French predecessor of encrochen is encrocher, which was formed by combining the prefix en- ("in") with the noun croche ("hook"). Croche also gave us our word crochet, in reference to the hooked needle used in that craft. Encroach carries the meaning of "intrude," both in terms of privilege or property. The word can also hop over legal barriers to describe a general advancement beyond desirable or normal limits (such as a hurricane that encroaches on the mainland).

Synonyms

• creep
• inch
• worm

Choose the Right Synonym for encroach

trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another.

trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Examples of encroach in a Sentence

The suburbs encroach further into the rural areas each year.

each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches

Recent Examples on the Web

Trees that had been encroaching on the wetlands were felled. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

Few understand this more than Indigenous Americans, creators of the original Land Back movement, designed to reclaim and steward ancestral territories that were taken and encroached upon more than a century ago. —Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English encrochen to get, seize, from Anglo-French encrocher, from en- + croc, croche hook — more at crochet

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

encroach

verb

en·​croach in-ˈkrōch 

1

: to enter or force oneself on another's property or rights little by little

2

: to advance beyond the usual or desirable limits

the gradually encroaching sea

encroachment

-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

encroach

intransitive verb

en·​croach in-ˈkrōch 

: to enter especially gradually or stealthily into the possessions or rights of another

encroaches on an adjoining property

Etymology

Anglo-French encrocher, probably alteration of acrocher to catch hold of, seize, usurp, from Old French, from a-, prefix stressing goal + croc hook