Encroachment

Meaning

The act of gradually intruding on or beyond the proper or legitimate limits of someone else's territory, rights, or domain

Origin / Etymology

Old French encrochier, en (on) + croc (hook); to seize with a hook

Synonyms

Intrusion Trespass Infringement Overreach

Antonyms

Restraint Respect (of boundaries)

Example Sentence

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against executive encroachment on judicial independence, holding that the judiciary must have primacy in its own appointments process."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Versatile for GS2. Contexts: (1) Constitutional, executive encroachment on judiciary or legislature; (2) Centre-State, central encroachment on state subjects; (3) Environmental, encroachment on forest land, wetlands, coastal zones under CRZ notification; (4) Land rights, encroachment on tribal land. In each context, encroachment implies illegitimacy.

Relevant Subjects