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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
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Telecommunications leaders have acknowledged that their cable partners are increasingly encroaching on their territory, but none express concern.
—Russell Leung,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
Mayor Steven Meiner described the film as being antisemitic, but ultimately backed down from his threats after hundreds of documentarians (including this writer) signed an open letter condemning him for encroaching on the free speech rights.
—Adam Benzine, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
The thumbnail description: Imagine Robert De Niro’s Jimmy the Gent character from Goodfellas but as a ruthless Hawaiian crime boss, also based on a real figure, who battled encroaching rivals for control of organized crime on the islands.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 Mar. 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 13 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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