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
Cuba has long defended its decision to shoot down the planes, insisting that Brothers to the Rescue had encroached on the country's sovereignty.
—
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Most of these settlers farmed, but then the cities of Cleveland and Akron encroached from north and south.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Whether you’re encroached by AI or encroached by ensuring theatrical or shooting on film, or real sets.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
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.
—Derek Rose, Time, 30 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
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Most of these settlers farmed, but then the cities of Cleveland and Akron encroached from north and south.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Whether you’re encroached by AI or encroached by ensuring theatrical or shooting on film, or real sets.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
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.
—Derek Rose, Time, 30 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroached
Verb
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The Waffle House waitress said the building’s management was inattentive to a raft of deeper issues, from sewage backups that crept into her bathtub to mold and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
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At the other end of the spectrum, there were a number of clubs with lower possession numbers who crept into positions higher up the table.—
Jon Mackenzie,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Aspiring journalist Lily’s camera was recording when the OPEF Marines invaded and began killing both Marsies and the Peacekeepers force that was actually aligned with the Marines and fighting against the Marsies.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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Muscle tissues, which initially made up 17 percent of the explant, were gradually invaded by coelomocytes that broke the muscle down into small pieces and destroyed its organization.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Evidence of the shooting was visible on a sidewalk just outside the White House complex, where yellow crime scene tape snaked across the pavement and Secret Service officers placed dozens of orange evidence markers on the ground.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Closing off the week will be Wooyoungmi, Sacai, KidSuper, and Celine, which hasn’t staged a runway show since 2023 and returned last season with an intimate presentation at its headquarters on the Rue Vivienne, with its collection hung on pegs and accessories snaked around the room.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encroached.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encroached. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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