as in creeping
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits
each year the sea continues to encroach upon the island's beaches
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Recent Examples of encroaching
Others seemed more offended by the idea of the federal government encroaching on local control.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The current rendering shows 7,200 square feet allocated to four courts, encroaching on open beach space that could be available to beachgoers and picnickers.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Airports take dramatic steps to prevent birds and other wildlife from encroaching on runways.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The moonless nights of mid-May are a fantastic time to spot the glowing band of the Milky Way arching across the spring sky, before the encroaching twilight of the summer months shortens the viewing window.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Your neighbors may not want to deal with its thorny leaves encroaching on their yard.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
An encroaching fog is disrupting the ferry schedule.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Space can also prove an issue, because some school administrators see even tiny gardens in 5-gallon buckets as encroaching on their schools’ playgrounds.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Songs here that start off surprisingly bracing resolve into big, sleek choruses, the work of firm believers in the power of heroic, high-protein mainstream alt-rock as a salve against encroaching darkness.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The current rendering shows 7,200 square feet allocated to four courts, encroaching on open beach space that could be available to beachgoers and picnickers.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Airports take dramatic steps to prevent birds and other wildlife from encroaching on runways.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The moonless nights of mid-May are a fantastic time to spot the glowing band of the Milky Way arching across the spring sky, before the encroaching twilight of the summer months shortens the viewing window.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 May 2026
Your neighbors may not want to deal with its thorny leaves encroaching on their yard.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
An encroaching fog is disrupting the ferry schedule.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Space can also prove an issue, because some school administrators see even tiny gardens in 5-gallon buckets as encroaching on their schools’ playgrounds.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
Songs here that start off surprisingly bracing resolve into big, sleek choruses, the work of firm believers in the power of heroic, high-protein mainstream alt-rock as a salve against encroaching darkness.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encroaching
Verb
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Inflation rates are creeping above average wage increases, and could stay there until the situation in Iran is resolved.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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For people with creeping cholesterol levels, a healthier diet can go a long way.—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Gellner said removing the items would reduce the snake's chances of invading her premises.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Ants are invading homes this spring.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encroaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encroaching. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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