Definition of 'encroach'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present
tense encroaches
, present participle encroaching
, past tense, past participle encroached
1. verb
If one thing encroaches on another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing.
[formal, disapproval] I knew that unless work encroached upon my family time, no work could get done. [VERB on/upon noun]
The new institutions do not encroach on political power. [VERB + on/upon]
The movie industry had chosen to ignore the encroaching competition of television. [VERB-ing]
[Also VERB]2. verb
If something encroaches on a place, it spreads and takes over more and more of that place.
[formal] The rhododendrons encroached ever more on the twisting drive. [VERB + on]
I turned into the dirt road and followed it through encroaching trees and bushes. [VERB-ing]
[Also V prep/adv, V]COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
verb (intransitive)
1. (often foll by on or upon)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
noun
encroachingly (enˈcroachingly)
adverb
encroachment (enˈcroachment)
noun
Word origin of 'encroach'
verb intransitive
1.
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtrespass
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
noun
Word origin of 'encroach'
Example sentences containing 'encroach'
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Deer which carry ticks are also increasingly encroaching in suburban areas. Times, Sunday Times (2015)This was now encroaching on my territory. Times, Sunday Times (2007)If you are in love, anyone encroaching on your territory will prompt insecurity. Times, Sunday Times (2014)And the sense of some grand, encroaching darkness is at the edge of all these very different poets. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Any other action would have meant encroaching on the territory of others, using means and resources for which he was not qualified. The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
Trends of 'encroach'
Used Occasionally. encroach is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
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Translations for 'encroach'
British English: encroach VERB
If one thing encroaches on another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing.
The new institutions do not encroach on political power.
Nearby words of 'encroach'
Source
Definition of encroach from the
Collins English Dictionary
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