Encroaching: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone or something is slowly taking over someone else's space, rights, or time. It often carries a sense of gradual advancement.

• The weeds are encroaching on the garden.
• Technology is encroaching on our personal lives.

Typically describes entering someone’s space without permission, often disruptive and unwelcome.

• I hope I’m not intruding, but could I ask you a question?
• The reporter intruded into the celebrity's private life.

Implies forcefully entering and taking over a place, often used in military or very aggressive contexts. It has a strong negative connotation.

• The army invaded the neighboring country.
• His privacy was invaded by the paparazzi.

Specifically means to enter someone else’s land or property without permission, often used in a legal context.

• They were caught trespassing on private property.
• He was fined for trespassing on the protected land.

Refers to exceeding boundaries or limits, often used in the context of social or professional behavior. It carries a negative connotation of going too far.

• She overstepped her authority by making that decision.
• He overstepped the line with his rude comments.