invadir, usurpar, avançar sobre
1. To gradually enter or advance beyond usual or acceptable limits, especially on someone else's property or rights
The city continues to encroach upon the surrounding farmland.
A cidade continua a invadir as terras agrícolas circundantes.
2. To trespass or intrude on someone's territory, space, or domain
Development is encroaching on protected wildlife habitat.
O desenvolvimento está invadindo habitats de vida selvagem protegidos.
3. To gradually take over or consume something that belongs to another
Work commitments are encroaching on my personal time.
Os compromissos de trabalho estão invadindo meu tempo pessoal.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'encroach' is frequently used in discussions of urban sprawl, environmental protection, and land rights. In the USA, it's common in real estate and environmental law. In Brazil, it's often used when discussing informal settlements (favelas) or development projects affecting protected lands and indigenous territories.
NYC Slang
creep, move in on, take over
Related Idioms & Phrases
encroach on one's territory
encroach upon one's rights
encroach into new territory
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