encroach

en·croach

verb \in-ˈkrōch, en-\

Definition of ENCROACH

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>

— en·croach·er noun

— en·croach·ment \-ˈkrōch-mənt\ noun

Examples of ENCROACH

1. The suburbs encroach further into the rural areas each year.
2. <each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches>

Origin of ENCROACH

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

First Known Use: 1528

Related to ENCROACH

Synonyms: creep, inch, worm

Related Words: snake, sneak; entrench (also intrench), impinge, infringe, intrude, invade; overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep

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See Synonym Discussion at trespass

Rhymes with ENCROACH

abroach, approach, caroche, cockroach, reproach, stagecoach