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en·croach
 encroach
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- pronunciation:
- ihn
kroch
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb)
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
encroaches, encroaching, encroached |
| definition 1: |
to exceed the established, previously known, or intended limits, usu. gradually.
With the desert encroaching, many farmers are having to abandon their lands.- synonyms:
- impinge on, infringe upon
- similar words:
- infiltrate, overstep, trespass
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| definition 2: |
to penetrate or spill over into an adjacent area (fol. by "on").
Farming families were forced to move to the cities as the desert encroached on their lands.The commercial district is encroaching on the residential zone. |
| definition 3: |
to intrude or trespass.
My roommate was always encroaching on my privacy.- synonyms:
- butt in, interfere with, interlope, intrude, meddle
- similar words:
- interrupt, muscle, obtrude, pry, trespass
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| related words: |
presume |
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| derivations: |
encroacher (n.), encroachment (n.) |
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