encroach

  • 11encroach — v. (d; intr.) to encroach on, upon (to encroach on smb. s territory) * * * [ɪn krəʊtʃ] upon (to encroach on smb. s territory) (d; intr.) to encroach on …

    Combinatory dictionary

  • 12encroach — en|croach [ ın kroutʃ ] verb intransitive 1. ) to gradually take something such as power or authority from someone else: encroach on/upon: The federal government is encroaching on a state issue. 2. ) to cover more land gradually: encroach on/upon …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 13encroach — en|croach [ınˈkrəutʃ US ˈkroutʃ] v [I always + adverb/preposition] [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: encrochier to seize , from croche hook ] 1.) to gradually take more of someone s time, possessions, rights etc than you should encroach… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 14encroach — [[t]ɪnkro͟ʊtʃ[/t]] encroaches, encroaching, encroached 1) VERB (disapproval) If one thing encroaches on another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing.… …

    English dictionary

  • 15encroach — 1. verb /ɛnˈkɹəʊtʃ,ɪnˈkɹəʊtʃ/ a) to intrude unrightfully on someone elses rights or territory Because change itself would absolutely stay stable, and again, conversely, stability itself would change, if each of them encroached on the other. b) to …

    Wiktionary

  • 16encroach — Synonyms and related words: abuse a privilege, adopt, advance upon, appropriate, arrogate, assume, barge in, bother, break bounds, break in, break in upon, burst in, bust in, butt in, charge in, come between, crash, crash in, crash the gates,… …

    Moby Thesaurus

  • 17encroach — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) v. i. advance, infringe, usurp, invade, trespass, intrude, overstep, violate; make inroads. See illegality, overrunning. II (Roget s IV) v. Syn. infringe, trespass, invade, overstep; see meddle 1 . See… …

    English dictionary for students

  • 18encroach — verb (encroach on/upon) gradually intrude on (a person s territory, rights, etc.). ↘advance gradually beyond expected limits. Derivatives encroacher noun encroachment noun Origin ME (in the sense seize ): from OFr. encrochier seize, fasten upon …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 19encroach — verb encroach on/upon sth phrasal verb (T) 1 to gradually take more control of someone s time, possessions, rights etc than you should: a government that is encroaching on the rights of individuals 2 to gradually cover more and more land: houses… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 20encroach — verb she didn t want to encroach on his privacy Syn: intrude on, trespass on, impinge on, obtrude on, impose oneself on, invade, infiltrate, interrupt, infringe on, violate, interfere with, disturb; informal horn in on, muscle in on; archaic… …

    Thesaurus of popular words