Synonyms for encroach

Most common

infringe · impinge · invade · intrude · entrench · trench

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Antonyms

withdraw, retreat, leave

All antonyms of encroach →

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To intrude unrightfully on someone else’s rights or territory.

   I won’t encroach on your time any longer.

2. v. 2

   To advance gradually beyond due limits.

Related words

Word family

encroacher encroachment

Forms

Past participle

encroached
e.g. encroached → infringed, impinged, invaded, intruded…

Example sentences

• invade Hull was given immediate orders to invade Canada.
• infringe They infringe on our basic freedoms.
• intrude I do not like anyone to intrude when I am working.
• impinge I can't let these distractions impinge on my work.
• poach Why go through all that trouble to poach a gazelle?

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

5 letters

poach¹

6 letters

trench¹, invade²

7 letters

intrude², impinge²

8 letters

trespass², infringe², overstep³, entrench²

10 letters

transgress²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (invade² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français

empiéter

Català

usurpar