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 comes from the Middle English verb 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 is also an ancestor of our word crochet; that word first referred to a crochet hook or to the needlework done with it. Encroach carries the meaning of "intrude," both in terms of privilege and 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 of encroach

• invade
• creep
• snake

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

As digital distractions, from texting, social media, breaking news, work, and more, increasingly encroach on our lives, our average attention span — the length of time a person is able to concentrate mentally on a specific activity — has shrunk. —Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026

Coyotes are encroaching on urban areas, and have killed household pets and livestock, while sometimes also biting humans. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026

As the Chinese men shoot the breeze and play cards, a mob of armed white miners gathers over the hill and encroaches on the unsuspecting outsiders. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026

Next to him on the catwalk-slash-stage, Marguerite LeRolland, senior global insight manager at data analytics firm Euromonitor, spoke about the shifting political landscape and encroaching economic pressures. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for encroach

• approach
• cockroach
• reproach
• stagecoach
• broach
• coach
• loach
• poach
• roach
• roche

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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