encroach
encroach — verb
1. to gradually take away part of someone's rights, time, or private life in a way
to gradually take away part of someone's rights, time, or private life in a way that feels unfair or unwanted.
The new surveillance system encroaches on citizens' privacy, tracking their every move.
encroach on + privacy / rights / freedom
Yael felt that her demanding boss was encroaching on her weekends by calling her constantly.
Some parents worry that school rules encroach too much on family life at home.
The company's strict dress code began to encroach on employees' freedom of self-expression.
Liam refused to let work emails encroach on his evening hours with the children.
- respect
as in respecting someone's boundaries, rights, or privacy
文法句型
encroach on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' or 'upon'; the object is typically an abstract noun such as 'rights', 'privacy', 'freedom', or 'time'.
常見錯誤
2. to gradually spread over a larger physical area, moving beyond the original boun
to gradually spread over a larger physical area, moving beyond the original boundary or limit.
The desert has been slowly encroaching on the farmland along the river valley.
encroach on + physical area (land, territory, forest)
Over twenty years, the highway gradually encroached on the village's farmland, pushing houses further back.
Luca noticed that weeds from the empty lot were encroaching upon his garden every spring.
Antonia watched the tide encroach upon the sandcastle she had built with her younger brother.
- invade
more aggressive and usually faster; implies force
- overrun
suggests overwhelming numbers and taking full control
- spread into
more neutral in tone, less negative connotation
文法句型
encroach on/upon + noun phrase (physical area)
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' or 'upon'; the object is a physical area such as 'land', 'territory', 'forest', 'farmland', or 'garden'.