as in creeping
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encroaching
Trimming encroaching ivy protects fences, trees, and property by preventing rot, storm damage, and moisture buildup that attracts pests.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Acura sold 30,235 of them last year, with the cheaper, new-for-2025 Acura ADX likely encroaching on its turf.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 Jan. 2026
Nobody wants to deal with our old devil, even if the new one comes with an encroaching open threat actively bubbling in the Caribbean and Latin America at large.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers aren’t exactly optimistic about AI encroaching on the experience, especially amid deep confusion over how exactly developers and studios are looking to leverage the tech.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Twelves went to the left flank of the fire, which was encroaching on homes off Altadena Drive alongside Eaton Canyon.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
In the immediate aftermath of the injury, they were confronted by encroaching thoughts of what a torn ligament might mean for their season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
With millions of annual pass holders and a major funding stream at stake, the lawsuit raises wider questions about whether presidential branding is encroaching on public resources and whether national parks remain equally welcoming and representative of all Americans.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Opponents, meanwhile, have called the hunt cruel, unnecessary and an excuse for hunters to bag a trophy animal when the real issue is the ever-growing human population encroaching on bear habitat.
—CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Acura sold 30,235 of them last year, with the cheaper, new-for-2025 Acura ADX likely encroaching on its turf.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 Jan. 2026
Nobody wants to deal with our old devil, even if the new one comes with an encroaching open threat actively bubbling in the Caribbean and Latin America at large.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers aren’t exactly optimistic about AI encroaching on the experience, especially amid deep confusion over how exactly developers and studios are looking to leverage the tech.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Twelves went to the left flank of the fire, which was encroaching on homes off Altadena Drive alongside Eaton Canyon.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
In the immediate aftermath of the injury, they were confronted by encroaching thoughts of what a torn ligament might mean for their season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
With millions of annual pass holders and a major funding stream at stake, the lawsuit raises wider questions about whether presidential branding is encroaching on public resources and whether national parks remain equally welcoming and representative of all Americans.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Opponents, meanwhile, have called the hunt cruel, unnecessary and an excuse for hunters to bag a trophy animal when the real issue is the ever-growing human population encroaching on bear habitat.
—CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroaching
Verb
-
Grow as a creeping vine or along a trellis.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
-
What’s that warmth creeping over you?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The president is spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
-
European leaders have become increasingly vocal in warning Trump against invading the island home to 57,000 people.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encroaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encroaching. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
