Finesentence logo

Encroached: meaning, definitions and examples

🏞️
Add to dictionary

encroached

 

[ ɪnˈkroʊtʃt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

gradually advancing

To encroach means to intrude gradually on someone else's territory or rights. It often implies a slow, subtle invasion that may not be immediately noticeable.

Synonyms

intrude, invade, overstep, trespass

Examples of usage

  • The construction of new buildings has encroached on the natural habitat.
  • As technology advances, privacy concerns have encroached upon our daily lives.
  • In some areas, urban development has encroached upon agricultural land.

Translations

Translations of the word "encroached" in other languages:

🇵🇹 invadido

🇮🇳 अतिक्रमण किया हुआ

🇩🇪 eingedrungen

🇮🇩 masuk

🇺🇦 вторгнутий

🇵🇱 naruszony

🇯🇵 侵入した

🇫🇷 envahi

🇪🇸 invadido

🇹🇷 işgal edilmiş

🇰🇷 침범한

🇸🇦 تعدى

🇨🇿 vniklý

🇸🇰 vniknutý

🇨🇳 侵犯的

🇸🇮 vdrli

🇮🇸 innrásin

🇰🇿 енкроучерленген

🇬🇪 გადმოენიჭა

🇦🇿 təcavüz edilmiş

🇲🇽 invadido

Etymology

The word 'encroach' originates from the Middle English term 'encrochen', which is derived from the Old French 'encrocher', meaning 'to seize upon' or 'to intrude'. This word can be broken down into two parts: 'en-', a prefix meaning 'to cause to be in or to be on', and 'croche', stemming from 'croche', meaning 'to hook'. The evolution of the term reflects the gradual nature of encroachment, as it has historically been used to describe the slow and often unnoticed appropriation of land or rights, particularly in legal and territorial contexts. Over time, 'encroach' has expanded its usage to encompass various forms of intrusion beyond physical land, including social, personal, and digital spaces.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,041, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.