Thesaurus results for ENCROACH

Q: How does the verb 'encroach' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encroach are infringe , invade , and trespass . While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions. // the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

Q: Where would 'infringe' be a reasonable alternative to 'encroach'?

The words infringe and encroach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative. // infringing a copyright

Q: When can 'invade' be used instead of 'encroach'?

The words invade and encroach can be used in similar contexts, but invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another. // accused of invading their privacy

Q: When could 'trespass' be used to replace 'encroach'?

While the synonyms trespass and encroach are close in meaning, trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion. // hunters trespassing on farmland

encroach

verb

in-ˈkrōch

Definition of encroach next

as in to invade

to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb encroach differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of encroach are infringe, invade, and trespass. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

Where would infringe be a reasonable alternative to encroach?

The words infringe and encroach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

When can invade be used instead of encroach?

The words invade and encroach can be used in similar contexts, but invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

When could trespass be used to replace encroach?

While the synonyms trespass and encroach are close in meaning, trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

Examples 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 encroach The Eaton Fire, which ravaged Altadena, is encroaching on Mt. Wilson, whose peak houses a number of broadcast towers. —

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025 Due to rising sea levels, the ocean is slowly encroaching into coastal land in North Carolina, seeping into the ground and making tap water more salty, according to a new paper in the journal Water Resources Research. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Best Topiary Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden Groundcover Low-growing groundcover junipers seldom need pruning except to remove dead tips resulting from winter damage or to keep them from encroaching on other plants, sidewalks, driveways or structures. —

Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2025 By making huge loans with their own money, firms like Blue Owl have been encroaching on JPMorgan’s business of arranging loans of $1 billion or more to companies and private-equity firms. —

Rob Copeland, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for encroach

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroach

Verb

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. deployed an additional 20,000 troops to Eastern Europe to firm up NATO's eastern flank (there are now approximately 100,000 U.S. forces in Europe).

Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The deal comes after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November, weeks after Israel invaded southern Lebanon as part of an escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah.

Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025