as in crept
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches
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Recent Examples of encroached
Luis Palma stepped up to take it, and Wickens got down low to his right-hand side to keep it out, only for the save to be scratched off as Ross County players encroached into the box.
—
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 May 2026
However, over the last decade, a group of challengers have encroached on OpenTable’s turf—particularly Resy, which was acquired by American Express in 2019 and is known for its partnerships with buzzy restaurants.
—Time Contributors, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
On their endless search for nutrients, hyphae encroached into empty spaces.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
But ever since, the family has alleged individuals have encroached on their beach, forcing them to put up no trespassing signs and hire private security, according to a supplemental complaint filed by Brian against the Walton County Sheriff’s Office last year.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
For Andy Lester, chair of the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee, Harrington’s order encroached on the First Amendment.
—Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026
In the last few decades, the bug has encroached from Utah’s Virgin River into prime flycatcher habitat in northern Arizona.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In a filing late Friday, the DOJ argued that each of the four judges erred in their judgements and unlawfully encroached on the president’s power.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
In their court arguments, the environmental groups have maintained that the detention center encroached on the habitat of the Florida Panther.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 May 2026
However, over the last decade, a group of challengers have encroached on OpenTable’s turf—particularly Resy, which was acquired by American Express in 2019 and is known for its partnerships with buzzy restaurants.
—Time Contributors, Time, 28 Apr. 2026
On their endless search for nutrients, hyphae encroached into empty spaces.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
But ever since, the family has alleged individuals have encroached on their beach, forcing them to put up no trespassing signs and hire private security, according to a supplemental complaint filed by Brian against the Walton County Sheriff’s Office last year.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
For Andy Lester, chair of the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee, Harrington’s order encroached on the First Amendment.
—Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026
In the last few decades, the bug has encroached from Utah’s Virgin River into prime flycatcher habitat in northern Arizona.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
In a filing late Friday, the DOJ argued that each of the four judges erred in their judgements and unlawfully encroached on the president’s power.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
In their court arguments, the environmental groups have maintained that the detention center encroached on the habitat of the Florida Panther.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroached
Verb
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Technology has crept into one of the oldest hobbies known to humanity.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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Every scene that would otherwise communicate pandemonium is rendered in the language of sub-Ryan Murphy slop, as if a movie whose production costs reportedly crept toward $200 million could only afford a few extras at a time.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps not coincidentally, Russia invaded the former Soviet republic of Georgia later that year.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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Some have questioned whether the Biennale really is a nonpartisan exhibition, pointing to the show’s history of making political statements, including in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Queues snaked around London’s Wembley Arena on Sunday, waiting for a rare opportunity to see the Chinese team in action in the United Kingdom.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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On Thursday morning, a line of private boats snaked around the perimeter, and once passengers disembarked, Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo was there to greet each visitor.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encroached.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encroached. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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