as in invades
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 encroaches
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
Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
As the third weekend of November encroaches upon us, so does the holiday season — and streaming networks are picking up the cheer in full swing.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
The study reveals as urbanization increasingly encroaches upon bat-safe caves, invasive, city-dwelling rats are likely to follow.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Apparently, our west block wall encroaches six feet into our neighbor’s back yard, which includes our swimming pool motor and related equipment.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 16 Sep. 2025
While a new generation of young singer-songwriters encroaches on country music’s old guard by the day, the Texas barnstormer has found his footing with a fan base hell-bent on capturing every moment Myers affords them.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The rise of fascism encroaches on her like a disease, culminating in a personal invitation from Mussolini himself, but we’re dealt countless scenes of Eleonora’s psychosis before we’re granted a contextual explanation of what feeds it.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
However, if someone encroaches on another traveler's space, the airline may reassign them to a different seat or ask them to take a later flight.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
As the third weekend of November encroaches upon us, so does the holiday season — and streaming networks are picking up the cheer in full swing.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
The study reveals as urbanization increasingly encroaches upon bat-safe caves, invasive, city-dwelling rats are likely to follow.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Apparently, our west block wall encroaches six feet into our neighbor’s back yard, which includes our swimming pool motor and related equipment.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 16 Sep. 2025
While a new generation of young singer-songwriters encroaches on country music’s old guard by the day, the Texas barnstormer has found his footing with a fan base hell-bent on capturing every moment Myers affords them.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
The rise of fascism encroaches on her like a disease, culminating in a personal invitation from Mussolini himself, but we’re dealt countless scenes of Eleonora’s psychosis before we’re granted a contextual explanation of what feeds it.
—Blake Simons, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
However, if someone encroaches on another traveler's space, the airline may reassign them to a different seat or ask them to take a later flight.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroaches
Verb
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In the midst of a brutally cold winter, an unwelcome armed force invades a peaceful community, bringing panic, turmoil and brutal violence.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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Moisture invades your porch cushions and flooring, leading to the growth of mold, mildew, and algae.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Suspicion and shame drenched Hanceville like the fog that creeps down Main Street.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Mintz agrees that intentional time matters, especially when guilt creeps in.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sierra Canyon will host Crespi on Saturday as the team inches closer to an undefeated Mission League campaign.—
Dan Lovi,
Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Republicans can comfort themselves that a win is still a win—and that their House majority inches up to 220–213, at least until other vacancies kick in.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
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From the mouth of Lake of the Woods, the Warroad River snakes through the middle of the city limits, a few blocks from the headquarters of Marvin Windows and Doors, the employer as synonymous with the town as the sport of hockey.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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The dining room features a sprawling chandelier that snakes its way across the ceiling.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encroaches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encroaches. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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