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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).
Examples of encroach in a Sentence
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
As human settlements expanded on islands where the auk nested, the bird's habitat was further encroached upon.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Justice Department lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to consider hearing arguments on a fast-track basis on whether the labor board protections encroached on presidential power and whether Humphrey's Executor was wrongly decided and should be overruled.
—John Kruzel, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Critics say the order exceeds presidential authority, encroaches on states' rights, and undermines the independent role of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encroach
Cite this Entry
“Encroach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encroach. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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Legal Definition
encroach
intransitive verb
Anglo-French encrocher, probably alteration of acrocher to catch hold of, seize, usurp, from Old French, from a-, prefix stressing goal + croc hook
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