ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary BuilderWordsEencroach
ISEE/SSAThard
encroach
Meaning: to intrude gradually on another's territory, rights, or space
encroach in a sentence
How encroach is used in real sentences:
New housing developments began to encroach on the surrounding wetlands.
The ruler's new decrees encroached upon powers long held by local councils.
“Yet merchants' private warehouses had begun to encroach on the towpath, narrowing public passage a few inches each month.”
— from the passage The Season of Reckoning
Synonyms for encroach
Other words for encroach — intrude, trespass and infringe — carry the same meaning.
- intrude
- trespass
- infringe
Antonyms of encroach
Words that mean the opposite of encroach:
Where it comes from
From Old French encrochier, meaning 'to seize or catch with a hook.'
Memory hook
ENCROACH contains ROACH: imagine roaches gradually intruding into a kitchen.