MEANING
To extend gradually into an area or claim in a way that infringes on another's space or rights.
Use it for
Contested boundaries; privatization; competing uses of spaceMake a boundary change feel incremental and disputed.
Words that belong together
- encroach on public space
- encroach upon a neighborhood
- encroach on residential areas
On the page
Restaurant tables encroached on the public walking route.
Residents argued that the commercial district was encroaching on their neighborhood.
The temporary security enclosure had begun to encroach upon the square's everyday use.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- encroach / encroaches
- Past tense
- encroached
- Past participle
- encroached
- Present participle
- encroaching
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- encroach / encroaches
- Present continuous
- am/is/are encroaching
- Present perfect
- have/has encroached
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been encroaching
- Past
- encroached
- Past continuous
- was/were encroaching
- Past perfect
- had encroached
- Past perfect continuous
- had been encroaching
- Future
- will encroach / encroaches
- Future continuous
- will be encroaching
- Future perfect
- will have encroached
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been encroaching
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: setting. Usually encroach on or upon. Suggests unwelcome gradual expansion, not merely proximity or peaceful coexistence. Base: encroach; third-person singular: encroaches; past: encroached; past participle: encroached; present participle: encroaching. Related derivations are listed separately under related.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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