encroach
Creep into territory
To encroach is to advance beyond proper limits, gradually intruding on someone else's territory, rights, or time.
The word suggests creeping transgression rather than sudden invasion: Development has encroached on the wetlands.
You can encroach on someone's privacy, on a neighbor's property, or on time reserved for other things.
The noun is encroachment.
Unauthorized entry onto property
- intrudeEnter uninvited
- invadeEnter by force
- infringeViolate another's rights
- boundaryLine marking a limit
border · perimeter · land · property · neighbor · fence · edge · limit
Time limit for completion
- schedulePlan of timed events
- leisureFree time for relaxation
- personalRelating to one's self
- workloadAssigned task volume
overtime · creep · steal · consume · erode · diminish · intrude · demand
Violate another's rights
- violateBreak a rule deliberately
- breachBreaking of agreement
- transgressViolate a boundary
- usurpSeize without right
impinge · undermine · erode · diminish · curtail · restrict · limit · freedom
Large public gathering
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- pressApply force downward
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
- shrinkDecrease in size
cramped · confined · edge · corner · inch · nudge · compress · overflow
Organism's natural environment
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
urbanization · sprawl · development · construction · clearing · logging · pollution · degradation
trespass
Unauthorized entry onto property
boundary · border · perimeter · land · property · neighbor · fence · edge · limit · creep
deadline
Time limit for completion
workload · overtime · creep · steal · consume · erode · diminish · intrude · demand · pressure
infringe
Violate another's rights
- violateBreak a rule deliberately
- breachBreaking of agreement
- transgressViolate a boundary
usurp · impinge · undermine · erode · diminish · curtail · restrict · limit · freedom · privacy
crowd
Large public gathering
shrink · cramped · confined · edge · corner · inch · nudge · compress · overflow · spill
habitat
Organism's natural environment
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
deforestation · urbanization · sprawl · development · construction · clearing · logging · pollution · degradation · shrink
- piercingpierce, piercing, puncture, puncturing, stab
- boundariesboundary, boundary line, borders, border, edges
encroachment, encroaching, encroacher, encroached, encroaches, encroachments