encroaching

American  

[en-kroh-ching] / ɛnˈkroʊ tʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. advancing beyond proper, accepted, or usual limits; making gradual inroads into or onto something.

   We cleared out the encroaching weeds along the edge of the driveway and trimmed the plantain trees.

2. trespassing on the property, domain, or rights of another, especially stealthily or gradually.

   The hill forts in the British Isles were probably built by the native Britons to defend themselves against encroaching enemy tribes.

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Other Word Forms

• unencroaching adjective

Etymology

Origin of encroaching

encroach ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

As life goes on, Ms. Applegate tells of the encroaching menace of serious health problems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Gyms are positioning themselves as alternative spaces for socialising, its senior director of leisure and trends Paul Davies says, which is "encroaching on the traditional role of bars and nightclubs".

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

"As land is not limitless, you will end up encroaching on someone else's," said Cerruti.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

“One of the big puzzles of 2025 is that markets ignored President Trump encroaching on the Fed,” he wrote.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

With horror he saw that some of the encroaching blackness was, in fact, a great army moving upon Myr Tariniel.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• combative
• contentious
• destructive
• intrusive
• threatening