encroached
Crept into territory
Encroached is the past tense of encroach, meaning to gradually intrude on someone's territory, rights, or time.
The word implies a slow, often unnoticed advance beyond proper boundaries: The sea had encroached on the coastline over decades.
Work encroached on his weekends until he had no time left for family.
Unauthorized entry onto property
- infringeViolate another's rights
- impingeTo encroach or affect
- intrudeEnter uninvited
- invadeEnter by force
violate · breach · transgress · overstep · usurp · infiltrate · penetrate · interpose
Enter by force
- occupyFill or dwell in
- annexSupplementary building or seizure
- seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
- colonizeEstablish control over territory
overrun · advance · expand · extend · claim · appropriate · absorb · swallow
trespass
Unauthorized entry onto property
invade · violate · breach · transgress · overstep · usurp · infiltrate · penetrate · interpose · obtrude
invade
Enter by force
colonize · overrun · advance · expand · extend · claim · appropriate · absorb · swallow · engulf
infringe
Violate another's rights
undermine · erode · compromise · threaten · impair · restrict · limit · usurp · appropriate · trample
creep
Stealthy, slow movement
extend · inch · edge · seep · permeate · infiltrate · erode · nibble · wear away · eat into
encroachedretreated
Moved backward from advance
withdrew · receded · pulled back · fell back · backed away
encroach, encroachment, encroaching, encroaches, encroachments