encroach

intransitive-verb
UK: /ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ/
US: /ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/

  1. To gradually move into an area that is someone else's space or property.

    1. Don't encroach on my side of the table while you eat.
    2. The new building will encroach upon the park if they don't reduce it.

  2. To slowly begin to affect or influence something.

    1. I hate when work encroaches on my weekend time.
    2. The rising sea levels are starting to encroach on coastal communities.

Synonyms

invade infringe overstep intrude trespass
encroach transitive-verb

  1. To advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits.

    1. The weeds encroach the flower bed quickly.
    2. Did the builders encroach on the neighbor’s property line by mistake?

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "encroach" in English means: To gradually move into an area that is someone else's space or property., To slowly begin to affect or influence something..

The phonetic transcription of "encroach" is /ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ/ in British English and /ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "encroach": invade, infringe, overstep, intrude, trespass.

Example usage of "encroach": "Don't encroach on my side of the table while you eat.". More examples on the page.