encroaches

Creeps into territory

Encroaches is the third-person singular form of encroach, meaning to gradually intrude on someone's territory, rights, or time.

The word carries a sense of unwelcome advance, often slow and incremental: The sea encroaches on the coastline a little more each year.

When something encroaches on your time or privacy, it takes more than it should.

The noun encroachment captures the result of this gradual intrusion.

boundary

violate

Break a rule deliberately

transgressViolate a boundary
breachBreaking of agreement
crossPass from side to side

overlap · blur · exceed · surpass · spill over · intrude · impinge · infringe · trespass · overreach

territorial

trespass

Unauthorized entry onto property

invadeEnter by force
infringeViolate another's rights
overstepExceed proper limits

impinge · intrude · usurp · infiltrate · penetrate · sprawl · expand · extend · spread · annexe

gradual

creep

Stealthy, slow movement

inchTwelfth of a foot
edgeBoundary or sharpness
advanceMove or progress forward

spread · expand · grow · extend · gain · progress · push · press · nudge · worm

Categories

butting inbutts in, breaks in, barges in, chimes in, intrudes

Opposites

spatial/territorial movement

encroachesretreats

Backs off or sanctuaries

withdraws · recedes · pulls back · falls back · draws back

boundary respect

encroachesrespects

Holds in high regard

honors · observes · upholds · maintains · preserves

degree of engagement

encroachesignores

Refuses to acknowledge

avoids · leaves alone · disengages · abstains · refrains

Family

encroach, encroachment, encroaching, encroacher, encroached, encroachments, encroachers

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G